Abu Dhabi: Despite the fact that lung cancer causes more deaths each year than the combined mortality rates of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer, a staggering 89 per cent of patients in the emirate of Abu Dhabi continue to be diagnosed in the late stages of the disease.
The average age of patients suffering from the disease is 50 to 60 years in the UAE, but there is an alarming number of patients who are also diagnosed between 30 to 40 years, a trend that is not witnessed in the developed countries of the West, leading medical professionals said.
“This points to a severe lack of awareness about this illness, which has become the leading cancer killer among men, and is currently the 6th leading cancer killer among women,” Dr Ali Al Dameh, consultant thoracic surgeon at Tawam Hospital, told Gulf News.
“We estimate that about 25 per cent of the adult population in the emirate are exposed regularly to some form of smoke. Of them, 27 per cent need medical follow-ups and 10 per cent will require treatment for cancer,” he added.
According to the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad), which earlier presented statistics on the percentage of lung cancer cases detected in late stages, 77 new cancer cases were diagnosed in Abu Dhabi in 2013, 73 per cent of the patients being male and 27 per cent being female.
“People need to understand that detecting lung cancer in its initial stages ensures a survival rate of 80 per cent. Not only should they approach a doctor if they face the relevant symptoms but they should also insist upon a chest CT scan that can help screen for the disease. Physicians also need to administer chest scans rather than basic x-rays, which do not often detect lung cancer,” Dr Al Dameh said.
The Tawam Hospital, a specialist oncology diagnosis and treatment centre in Al Ain, is therefore launching a pilot study in December to screen patients according to the latest guidelines approved in the United States, said Dr Amjad Al Sharif, another consultant thoracic surgeon at Tawam.
“Any individual aged 50 years and older who has smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for 30 years, or two packs daily for 15 years, will be asked to undergo a chest CT scan to test for lung cancer. After about three to six months, we will look at how many cases are detected in the early stages using this new guideline, and evaluate whether it is effective as a screening test here,” he added.
About 20 per cent of cancer patients visiting Tawam Hospital each year are afflicted with lung cancer. Dr Al Sharif warned that when a patient starts showing symptoms, it already indicates significant damage to the lungs.
“For as long as possible, our lungs tend to compensate for damage by designating other areas to carry on the functions. So if you are experiencing persistent coughing, or shortness of breath, it is often too late. That is why it is important to screen and detect patients as soon as possible,” he said.
Other symptoms of lung cancer include unexplained weight loss, chest pain or pain in the shoulder or back, recurring lung problems such as bronchitis or pneumonia, as well as coughing up phlegm, mucus or blood.
Haad also advises a balanced diet and regular physical activity as protective factors against lung cancer.
“Awareness campaigns also play a key role in helping change social behaviour. Although we want to let people know at this point that screening and early detection can prevent death from lung cancer, we hope that this detrimental habit eventually becomes less trendy among the community,” Dr Al Dameh said.