World Lung Cancer Day 01 August 2023 | Theme, History, Importance

Every year, World Lung Cancer Day is celebrated on 01 August to create awareness and educate people worldwide about the concerning issues of lung cancer and raise the urge to focus more on lung cancer research and arrange financial and moral support for it.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, accounting for 18 lakhs of patient mortality worldwide, i.e. 20% of total cancer mortality. It is also one of the common cancers in the Male population in developing countries.

It's a type of cancer that begins in the lungs and most often occurs in people who smoke (both in smokers and in people exposed to second-hand smoke) though lung cancer can also occur in people who have never smoked.

Lung cancer often doesn't cause signs and symptoms in its earliest stages. Lung cancer signs and symptoms typically occur when the disease is advanced stage.

These are some risk factors for Lung Cancer

• Smoking, including passive smoking,
• Exposure to radiation therapy, radon gas, asbestos and other carcinogens
• Family history
• Old age population
• Obesity
• Alcohol abuse
• Viral infections (HPV)

This year 2022, World Lung Cancer Day 2022 theme focuses on getting tested with biomarkers to educate people importance of bio markers.

Importance of "Biomarker Testing" in newly diagnosed Lung Cancer Patients.

"With old chemotherapy treatment the 5-year survival rate for Lung cancer patients was around 4-6% and patients with targeted therapy and identified biomarker the rate of 5 year survival raised to 60%."

The campaign for lung cancer and related issues first came into the limelight in 2012, which was organized by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies in collaboration with the International Association for the study of Lung Cancer and the American College of Chest Physicians. The World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) is the most prominent organization in the world solely dedicated to only lung cancer-related problems and educating people about it.

The campaign was started keeping in view for both the recovered and those diagnosed with lung cancer to provide education on how to tackle the issues related to lung cancer. The main objective was to let people know the leading causes of lung cancer and educate people about its preventive measures.

Quitting tobacco is one of the primary measures to prevent lung cancer. In addition, the following are the other measures do help:

• Limiting exposure to cancer-causing agents (nickel, arsenic, asbestos, etc.)
• Avoiding second-hand smoke (inhaling burning tobacco products)
• Limiting exposure to high-energy radiations (X-rays and gamma rays)
• Exercising regularly
• Reducing the risk of HIV infection
• Consuming balanced diet
• Avoiding inhalation of domestic wood smoke