Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadly forms of cancer worldwide. According to Globocan, more than 12,000 Romanians are diagnosed with bronchopulmonary cancer annually, with a mortality rate of 75%, ranking first in terms of both morbidity and mortality. Although lung cancer is often thought of as a smoker’s disease, anyone can develop lung cancer, whether or not they have ever smoked. Factors such as exposure to pollutants, radon, or family history also affect the risk, and there is a myth that inhaling talc can contribute to lung tumors.

There are frequent myths surrounding this type of cancer, which is often diagnosed at too advanced stages.

MYTH 1: Only smokers can get lung cancer

Fake! The misconception that lung cancer is exclusively a disease of smokers can have tragic consequences. Non-smokers tend to ignore the symptoms, thinking that it cannot be lung cancer unless they have smoked, so they lose precious time when treatment could have been started.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20% of people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked or have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.

MYTH 2: “I smoked for too many years. What’s the point of me going?”

Fake! Quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of lung cancer and is also an effective measure in the prevention of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. It is important to emphasize that quitting smoking has many benefits, regardless of age or duration of smoking.

If you decide to quit smoking, the health benefits will be significant and progress will be rapid:

• After 20 minutes: Blood pressure begins to decrease;
• After 8 hours: the level of carbon monoxide in the blood returns to normal, and the oxygen in the blood reaches the optimal level;
• After 24 hours: The risk of stroke and sudden death is reduced;
• After 48 hours: Improvement of taste and smell;
• After 72 hours: breathing becomes easier, and the volume of the lungs increases;
• • Between weeks 2 and 3: circulation and lung function improve by up to 30%. Cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath improve or disappear;
• After 1 year: the risk of cardiovascular disease is reduced by 50% and the risk of stroke is the same as a person who has never smoked;
• After 5 years: The risk of cancer of the oral cavity, larynx and esophagus is reduced by 50%;
• After 10 years: The risk of lung cancer is reduced by 30-50%;
• From 5 to 15 years: the risk of developing other types of cancer becomes as low as a person who has never smoked.

MYTH 3: If you have already been diagnosed with lung cancer, you can continue to smoke

Fake! Many people think that when they are diagnosed with lung cancer, there is no point in giving up smoking, the damage has already been done. However, smoking can affect the effectiveness of treatment and worsen complications related to the disease. By quitting smoking, patients may experience a better response to treatment and recover more quickly from surgery or other therapeutic procedures.

MYTH 4: Smoking cannabis does not increase the risk of lung cancer

Maybe fake! Some studies have shown that cannabis-infused cigarettes may contain potentially carcinogenic substances such as tar and other chemicals that, in theory, may increase the risk of lung cancer. However, a direct comparison between smoking cannabis and smoking regular cigarettes regarding lung cancer risk remains a matter of research and debate.

One of the factors that makes it difficult to accurately estimate the risk of lung cancer associated with smoking cannabis is the frequent use of tobacco or other substances that are harmful to lung health. This practice makes it difficult to separate the specific effects of smoking from cannabis.

MYTH 5: Smoking is the only risk factor for lung cancer

Fake! Smoking is one of the most well-known and important risk factors for lung cancer. However, not the only one. There are other factors that can contribute to the development of this condition, such as:

• exposure to asbestos;
• atmospheric pollution (PM1 and PM2.5 particles);
• radon;
• genetic predisposition;
• long-term professional exposure to chromium, silicon, arsenic;
• family history of lung cancer;
• existing lung diseases, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis;
• long-term exposure to ionizing radiation used in the early stages of treatment for other types of cancer or during certain medical examinations (for example, frequent chest X-rays).

MYTH 6: Inhaling talcum powder causes lung cancer

Maybe fake! There are some studies that suggest a possible link between inhaling talc and the risk of lung cancer. However, these studies have been limited and results inconsistent or inconclusive.

Talc contains minerals that may have carcinogenic potential under certain circumstances. However, there is still insufficient evidence to support a link between talc inhalation and the development of lung cancer.

It is important to note that most people who use talc do not develop lung cancer. However, as a precaution, some experts recommend avoiding frequent and prolonged exposure to talc.

In general, to minimize risks, it is always advisable to avoid excessive inhalation of any dust.

MYTH 7: Pollution in big cities increases the risk of lung cancer more than smoking

Maybe fake! There is strong evidence that traffic pollution increases the risk of lung cancer. For example, the authors of a meta-analysis that investigated this aspect came to the following conclusion:

“Exposure to nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter is positively correlated with lung cancer risk. Occupational exposure to air pollution among professional drivers significantly increased the incidence and mortality associated with lung cancer.”

However, comparing pollution and smoking is more difficult. Those who live in polluted cities are more at risk of lung cancer, but it is not known for sure whether air pollution is worse than the consumption of tobacco products, but the combination of the two may be even more dangerous.

MYTH 8: Only adults can get lung cancer

Fake! Although lung cancer is more common in adults, the disease can also occur in young people, including teenagers and children. According to statistical data, more than half of lung cancer patients are over 65 years old, but experts draw attention to the fact that more and more young people under 50, especially women, are suffering from this disease.

The incidence of lung cancer among children and adolescents is much lower than among adults. The exact causes of lung cancer in young people may be different than in adults and may include genetic factors, exposure to certain environmental factors, or a family history of lung cancer.

MYTH 9: Coughing in smokers is normal

Fake! People tend to think of coughing as normal, especially if they smoke or have smoked in the past. But when we talk about lung cancer, the first sign can be a persistent cough that is different from a normal cough. For example, if a smoker who coughed every morning begins to expectorate blood, or the cough becomes frequent and dry, he should consult a doctor. Suspicion can also be caused by constant pain in the chest, not provoked by physical exertion. Other signs include difficulty breathing, wheezing, and sudden weight loss for no apparent reason.

MYTH 9: Lung cancer is always a death sentence

Fake! Lung cancer is often fatal due to late detection, with more than 70% of cases detected in advanced stages that are more difficult to treat. But in recent years, specialists have made important progress in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy can be a chance for life for patients with this type of cancer, even in late stages.

In the early stages (I and II), treatment is much more effective, recovery rates exceed 70%. Screening is crucial for detecting cancer in its early stages, when it is easier to treat, reducing the risk of death by about 20%.

MYTH 10: Surgery spreads cancer throughout the body

Fake! Surgery for lung cancer does not cause the disease to spread. It is imperative that surgeries are performed early to ensure the best chance of recovery. In these early stages, surgery may offer a real chance for a cure.

If the tumor is large or has spread to an adjacent area, adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, may be used before surgery. These additional treatments are designed to further reduce the risk of cancer cells spreading in the blood.

The results of clinical trials demonstrate that this approach not only prolongs survival, but also reduces the risk of death associated with this serious disease. (Photo source: Dreamstime.com)