Lung cancer kills more women

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of sickness-related deaths nationwide and worldwide, and women smokers are more susceptible than men, according to studies.

Just this August, the Department of Health (DOH-CAR) through Dr. Israel Yasay of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, one of the speakers, brought up the issue in a forum in line with the celebration of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

According to Yasay, smoking itself will not cause lung cancer because the disease is brought about by different factors coming together and damaging the respiratory system. However, exposure to smoking and all other hazardous chemicals, are among the top risk agents.

Moreover, the disease can somehow be inherited. A person who has a family member, who died of lung cancer also pose a higher risk of developing such, Yasay added.

In relation to smoking and lung cancer, Yasay said there is a scientific study that women who are smoking are most likely to develop cancer compared to men.

With the increasing prevalence of smoking among women, Yasay presented a projection that by 2030, the incidence of lung cancer among men and women will be equal, compared to the present 2:1 ratio (two male in every one female).

Meanwhile, a recent study in Lancet, the world's leading general medical journal, showed that in developing countries, two out of five men still smoke or use tobacco, and women are increasingly starting to smoke at younger ages. And, despite years of anti-smoking campaigns across the world, most developing countries register low quit rates.

According to the World Health Organization, around six million people every year worldwide, die from consuming tobacco products. This data includes more than 600,000 non-smokers who die from exposure to second-hand smoke. By 2030, if this pattern continues, 8 million more people will die per year.

However, Yasay reiterated added that to quit smoking, one's determination to stop the bad habit matters most. He also assured that BGHMC has specialists and equipment that can effectively aid patients with lung cancer cases. - PIA — ARA