Raising awareness about lung cancer

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In Bangladesh, the cases of lung cancer have been increasing every year. The rising cancer cases are often attributed to an increase in the number of smokers and high air pollution levels in the country. To live a healthier life, we must reduce smoke from factories and vehicles immediately. More awareness raising programmes should be launched so that tobacco consumers, especially smokers, gave up this bad habit. Awareness is the key to preventing and overcoming any health disorder. To raise awareness about lung cancer, November has been marked worldwide as the lung cancer awareness month.

The relation between smoking and lung cancers, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, the age of onset of smoking and the duration of smoking have been established by researchers. Tar and nicotine content of cigarettes' smoke and the use of unfiltered cigarettes have been documented as the main cause behind such cancer. Apart from cigarette smokers, construction workers, painters and mechanics are susceptible to the disease. Spotting the early symptoms of lung cancer, however, will go a long way in its swift diagnosis and treatment.

Lung cancer screening is crucial for catching the disease at earlier stages and lowering the risk of death from it. So, awareness among people is also needed. The authorities concerned should take initiatives to protect people from the disease and improve treatment facilities. Every country should have a national cancer control strategy and plan of action to reduce mortality from cancer effectively. We still have lacking in these essential strategies. So, we urge the authorities to formulate a policy, where more emphasis can be given on screening of lung cancer.

Badsha Faysal

Jurain, Dhaka

badshafaysqal1998@gmail.com