Penza told about the main causes of lung cancer in men

In 2022, about 2.5 million new cases of lung cancer were identified worldwide. Most of them fell on the stronger sex – about 1.4 million, while women were diagnosed with approximately 770 thousand. If you make an adjustment for age, men face this disease twice as often. The head of the center of cancer care of the Penza district hospital Yulia Skudnova explained where such a gap and how to reduce it.

According to the doctor, the main role is played by tobacco. Historically, men smoked much more, and the disease develops decades later. Therefore, the current figures are an echo of the habits of past years. The second reason is harmful working conditions. Men are more likely to work in metallurgy, construction, mines and chemical industries. Without respirators, the lungs suffer from dust and chemistry no less than nicotine.

The third factor is male psychology. The stronger sex is less likely to go to doctors and pass tests, preferring to live on the principle of “you know less, sleep better.” As a result, only 6% of smokers choose the correct methods of examination.

Risks can be reduced. If a person smokes for more than 20 years and is over 50, they will be shown an annual low-dose CT scan. Conventional fluorography sees the tumor when it has grown to 1-2 cm, and CT captures a focus of only 2-3 mm. Also, do not ignore a prolonged cough. If it does not pass three weeks, changed or there was shortness of breath, you need to urgently do a CT scan, and not wait for the next medical examination.

In production, it is important to use protective equipment. And most importantly, quitting cigarettes. Even after 30 years of experience, it is not too late to quit: after 10 years without tobacco, the risk drops by 30-50%.

The doctor emphasizes: men get sick more often not because of weakness, but because of a long attack on the lungs. And today, everyone can change these statistics if they are responsible for their health.