Health experts urge KSA residents to curb tobacco smoking for lung cancer prevention

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, observed on May 31 by the World Health Organization, leading health experts in Saudi Arabia are urging people to take action and curb the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and smoking. Tobacco smoking can affect almost every part of the body, leading to heart and lung diseases, among others. It is one of the most common causes of lung cancer. ,

“People who smoke cigarettes are 15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. Even smoking a few cigarettes a day or smoking occasionally increases the risk of lung cancer. More the number of years a person smokes and the more cigarettes smoked each day, higher is the risk. Quitting smoking at an early age can lower the risk of lung cancer. ” expressed Dr. Turki Al Fayae, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Princess Noorah Oncology Center, Jeddah, KSA

Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals, such as benzene, cyanide and carbon monoxide. A number of these chemicals are called “carcinogenic” – which means that they can cause cancer. 

• A shisha is NOT a safer alternative: In general, most people know that cigarettes are bad for health. But many do not realize that even water pipe smoking or shisha) may be just as harmful for health as cigarette smoking. 
• Is second-hand smoking also bad? - No one is safe from the harmful effects of tobacco smoking. According to WHO, about 600 000 people die every year because of being exposed to “second-hand smoke” – which is the kind of smoke one is exposed to if someone else in the home or office smokes. This is linked to lung cancer.

“People need to realise that the best way to combat lung cancer is by preventing the disease. Awareness of the disease, its symptoms and early diagnosis is crucial. In the last few years, medical sciences have advanced in the treatment of lung cancer. Timely detection plays a significant role in ensuring that the disease is treated at an early stage, increasing the chances of survival.  In fact, some recent studies have reflected positive outcomes in people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using latest therapies such as immuno-therapies.” said Dr. Abdulrahman Jazieh, Chairman, Department of Oncology at King Abdulaziz Medical City – National Guard Hospital.

Fact sheet about health benefits of giving up smoking 

There are immediate and long-term health benefits of quitting for all smokers.

Beneficial health changes that take place:

• Within 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
• 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
• 2-12 weeks, your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
• 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
• 1 year, your risk of coronary heart disease is about half that of a smoker's.
• 5 years, your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
• 10 years, your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker and your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.
• 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker’s

Latest medical advancements in tackling lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the major cancer types for which new immune-based cancer treatments are currently in development. The goal is to address the unmet need for long-term survival in patients with advanced cancers. The immune system is a network of organs, cells, and molecules throughout the whole body. The role of the immune system is to protect the body from harmful things like germs, viruses, and diseases like cancer. Immune responses are the way the body works to find and destroy abnormal cells, including cancer cells.

Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to stimulate a person's own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. It can be used to treat some forms of non-small cell lung cancer. New treatment options have become available and are helping to improve outcomes and survival for patients. Based on the diagnosis, oncologists undertake suitable treatment paths like surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and medication.