In Romania, the patient’s late visit to the doctor is one of the main reasons for the low level of early diagnosis of bronchopulmonary cancer. Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer among men and the fourth most common form of cancer among women. However, with early diagnosis, survival rates can be doubled.

The Romanian Society of Pneumology (SRP), together with the Romanian Society of Radiotherapy (SRR), the Romanian Society of Radiotherapy and Medical Oncology (SRROM), the National Society of Family Medicine (SNMF), the Association of Family Physicians Bucharest-Ilfov (AMF-B), the National Society of Medical Oncology of Romania (SNOMR) and the Federation of Associations of Cancer Patients (FABC) announce the launch of the “Listen to your cough!” campaign. (www.ascultatusea.ro), a pilot project to raise awareness among the general public about bronchopulmonary cancer.

This initiative is even more important, because in Romania, the patient’s late visit to the doctor is one of the main reasons for the low level of early diagnosis of bronchopulmonary cancer.

Launch of the “Listen to your cough” campaign! (www.ascultatusea.ro) presents an approach that considers the current reality in a context where, according to the 2021 country health profile published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Health Observatory, Systems and Policies, in collaboration with the European Commission, bronchopulmonary cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer deaths in Romania.

“The pandemic caused an increase in the number of late detected cases, the age at which young people start smoking has decreased, and the number of passive smokers has increased. That is why we join this special initiative, because there is a great need for correct and consistent information to the general public,” said Professor Dr. Roxana Nemes, President of the Romanian Pulmonology Society.

“We hope that pulmonologists will soon have access to lung cancer screening protocols within the framework of the national oncology program. In the meantime, it is our duty to all of us to make every effort to encourage patients to consult a doctor for early detection of lung neoplasms,” said Prof. Dr. Ruxandra Ulmeanu, President of the Lung Cancer Section of the Romanian Pneumology Society.

“The big problem with bronchopulmonary cancer is that it causes no signs or symptoms in the early stages, and pain is rare in the early stages of the disease. That is why it is important for patients to pay attention to the signals of the body and immediately consult a doctor if they appear: a constant cough or with blood, even in small amounts, a respiratory infection that does not go away or returns, wheezing, difficulty breathing. feeling short of breath, persistent chest or shoulder pain, hoarseness, bone pain, or headache. At the same time, primary prevention in an attempt to educate teenagers so that they do not start smoking, as well as a form of secondary prevention, with increased access to consultation rooms, are extremely important,” said Professor, Dr. Florin Micheltan, Director of the School of the Romanian Society of Pneumology .

Although cancer survival rates are improving, Romania’s survival rate is still significantly lower than the European average (15%) with a survival rate of 11%. Given the disparity between cancer incidence and mortality rates in Romania, compared to the figures recorded at the European level, there is a significant difference in early diagnosis.

“Listen Your Cough is about a deep reality, about the noise that distracts us every day from the most important thing – from ourselves. In order for doctors to be able to diagnose bronchopulmonary cancer in time, it is important that patients come to the consultation as early as possible and know the essential information, regardless of whether it is about symptoms or about risk factors. I remember smoking, secondhand smoke, air pollution, exposure to certain minerals, hazardous substances, or ionizing radiation such as asbestos, arsenic, nickel, chromium, cadmium, radon, X-rays, certain viral conditions, genetic factors.” – said Prof. Dr. Rodica Angel, President of the Romanian Society of Radiotherapy.

“The fear of the diagnosis, which often discourages the patient, delaying the visit to the family doctor, is the biggest enemy of early diagnosis of bronchopulmonary cancer. The family doctor plays an extremely important role in early diagnosis, guiding the patient’s first steps, being with him and supporting him in the future,” said Dr. Dina Merjani, President of the Romanian Society of Family Medicine.

“We welcome this initiative and urge everyone to consult a doctor if they have symptoms related to broncho-lung cancer. The role of the family doctor is important, because he can contribute to the early detection of any form of cancer and recommend examinations, based on which the patient can be referred in the health care system to a doctor of another specialty. establish the diagnosis and stage of the disease. Our role does not end there, but continues with the monitoring of these patients and a real diagnostic and therapeutic synthesis,” said Dr. Sandra Alexiou, president of the Bucharest-Ilfov Association of Family Physicians.

In Romania, coordinated information and educational measures regarding the symptoms of bronchopulmonary cancer are becoming increasingly important. According to the latest perception study conducted by the Association of Community Medical Assistants (AMC Botosani) and the Federation of Associations of Cancer Patients (FABC) in vulnerable communities in Botosani and Gorzh counties, based on a sample of 817 people from 215 communities in the two counties, lack of information causes misconceptions, for example, according to which more time has passed since the onset of a symptom to be considered serious enough to see a family doctor. According to the same study, only 1 in 3 people believe that they can identify the symptom of bronchopulmonary cancer, and in the absence of recognition of the symptoms of lung cancer, 3 in 4 patients go to the doctor very late. by a doctor and, as a result, are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease, which causes high mortality. In different proportions, the respondents could not identify the general symptoms of the disease, such as coughing up blood or weight loss without a reason (14-15%), constant cough for 2-3 weeks, worsening or change of the existing cough or repeated cough respiratory infections (25 -26%). The least known symptom is a change in the nails and fingers, the so-called digital hypocratism, which is recognized by only 1 in 5 people.

“In the case of a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary cancer, the type, localization and stage of the tumor are crucial information when choosing a treatment plan. A diagnosis of bronchopulmonary cancer is not a condemnation, especially when the disease is diagnosed in time. That’s why we believe and actively participate in this campaign to introduce patients to important information that can help them get to a doctor as soon as possible”, said Professor Dr. Dana Lucia Stanculeanu, President of the National Medical Society. Oncology from Romania.

“Knowledge of the symptoms of the disease is of great importance for the early detection of bronchopulmonary cancer. If one or more symptoms appear, a visit to the family doctor is important to guide and evaluate the patient, and this way helps to increase the chances of survival associated with early detection,” said Cesar Irimia, president of the Federation of Cancer Patient Associations .