The Health | December, 2019
26
Breathing Easy
Inhaling the truth
In conjunction of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, The Health meets HUKM’s top respiratory experts
L
By Syed Zaid
ung cancer is extremely
lethal. It has the lowest sur-
vival rate of cancer types and
has been known to cause the
most cancer death worldwide
in an average of 1.8 million
annual deaths.
Lung cancer is deadly. It
contributes to the highest cancer death
worldwide; with an average of 1.8million
deaths annually. Therefore, it has the lowest
survival rate among all types of cancer.
The statistic of lung cancer has reached
an alarming rate. With an increased in the
number of patients diagnosed to have lung
cancer, it is estimated an amount of RM 58.2
billion was spent on treatment in 2017.
Data provided by Hospital Canselor
Tuanku Muhriz UKM (HCTM) shows that
the highest age group falls in within the
range of 41 – 70 years old.
The data also states that they have
received more male patients are reported to
have lung cancer than women at the ratio of
64.7 per cent and 35.3 per cent respectively.
In HCTM, patients with lung cancer gen-
erally falls between 41 to 70-years of age. It is
seen predominantly in males (64.7 per cent)
compare to only 35.3 per cent of females.
Treatment layout
According to Dr Andrea Ban Yu-Lin (HTCM’s
Consultant Respiratory Physician and Head
of Respiratory Unit):
“Lung cancer can be divided into
non-small cell lung cancer and small-cell
lung cancer. Current treatments include
chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted
therapy. Curative treatment via surgical
resection may be an option for patients who
are diagnosed with early stage of lung cancer
(stages 1 and 2).”
Technology has made a huge advancement
in the last few decades. Some treatments are
made available to help detect and diagnose
From left; Dr Ng
Boon Hau, Dr Andrea
Ban Yu-Lin, Dr Nik
Nuratiqah and Dr SO
Chun Ian of the HTCM’s
Respiratory Unit.
cancer more effectively.
Within the last few decades, emergence
of new diagnostic tools has help clinicians
to detect and diagnose lung cancer earlier.
“There has been a lot of advancement
made in terms of treatment and diagnosis
of lung cancer. The new and improved medi-
cal diagnostic equipment has enable us to
obtain a more accurate and precise results,”
according to Dr Su Choon Ian, Pulmonologist
of HTCM.
“However, the cost of treatment, espe-
cially oral – have always been expensive. The
majority of the patients are unable to bear
the cost of treatment,” Dr Nik Nuratiqah,
the Respiratory Fellow of the team chimes in.
“Ideally, the treatment should be made
accessible and affordable to all. Support
groups for lung cancer patients could be an
approach to help patients cope with their
condition.”
“Treating lung cancer can be extremely
challenging. The cost involved with the
newer treatment options is extremely high.
It is beyond the affordability of the major-
ity of our patients. We hope that support
groups or non-governmental organizations
can come forward to assist this patients."
Late diagnosis
The National Cancer Registry for 2007-2011
(published October 2016) revealed a stag-
gering 90 per cent of lung cancer cases being
diagnosed at stage three (locally advanced)
or stage four (metastatic spread).
Dr Ng Boon Hau, Respiratory Fellow at
HCTM explains: “Lung cancer may present
with a variety of symptoms. Patients with
early stage of lung cancer can be asymptom-
atic. Others may be experiencing episodes of
chronic cough which are occasionally ignored
by patients.”
Other symptoms include weight loss, loss
of appetite, coughing out blood (haemopty-
sis), non-resolving fever, and breathlessness.
These symptoms generally are late mani-
festation of the disease.
Coming out of the smoke
Smoking and second-hand smoking are
proven to be the leading cause of lung cancer.
Study shows a growth in female smokers and
this increases the risk of lung cancer.
One of the efforts from the government
to address to this issue is enforcing non-
smoking zones at all eateries nationwide.
Dr Andrea explains: “This is an important
first-step to reduce the risk of cigarette
smoking related diseases. Passive smoking
can also increase the risk of developing
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as
well as lung cancer.”
Vapour over smoke?
Vaping or electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have
indirectly led to an increase in smoking
among school children. It is agreed that
vaping is not a smoking cessation tool.
As of November 2012, vaping has led to
the report of approximately 3000 cases of
vaping use associated lung injury (EVALI).
“The contents of vaping appear to harm
the airway more than nicotine and causes
airway inflammation. In addition, there
are no solid evidence to prove that vaping
reduces the risk of lung cancer in smokers.
There isn’t any long-term safety data on
vaping. Most importantly, there is also a lack
of a standardised regulation on the content
and device of e-cigarettes,” says Dr Andrea.
Be mindful of our breathing
Everyone should alert their healthcare
providers if they suffer from prolonged
coughing, breathing difficulties, or even
chest discomfort as these symptoms could
be indicators of lung cancer.
“We always say this, and will never cease
to tell the public about this. If you have been
coughing a lot for more than a month, or
experiencing any difficulty in breathing, you
should get yourself checked. Finding cancer
at an earlier stage provides better outcome
of treatment. Therefore, we should always be
mindful of our health.” — The Health