Lung cancer remains one of the most common types of cancer, with an estimated 2.21 million new cases recorded in 2020. It also has the lowest survival rates. In fact, the average five-year survival rate for lung cancer worldwide is less than 20 per cent. This number is lower in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a five-year survival rate estimated at 8 per cent, suggesting that most lung cancer patients in the region are diagnosed at advanced stages.
Lung cancer is sometimes referred to as the “invisible” cancer as visible symptoms occur once the cancer has already advanced. In 2020, 51,316 new cases of lung cancer were recorded in MENA, representing the second-highest cancer incidence in the region. The incidence of lung cancer has increased dramatically in recent years in the MENA region due to modifiable behavioural factors, causing more than 70,000 deaths in 2020. This makes it the second deadliest cancer in the MENA region, accounting for 10 per cent of all cancer deaths.
Behind these numbers are thousands of real stories of struggle, grief, and perseverance, along with the doctors and families of cancer patients who support their treatment for the best outcome. Lung cancer never rests, and neither can we.
Significant progress has been made in lung cancer therapy
Governments in the region have identified the growing problem and are fully focused on fighting it through awareness, prevention, treatment, research and funding. A range of lung cancer treatment options are available today. Significant progress has been made in lung cancer therapy development within the past decade, including precision medicine evolvement, new targeted therapy and new findings in the field of immunotherapy.
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However, healthcare providers cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach to treating cancer patients. Every patient with lung cancer requires tailored solutions, based on their histology, stage, tumour genetics, and type of lung cancer. For example, doctors use molecular testing to diagnose different types of lung cancer and identify the best treatment strategies. It involves analysing the genetic and molecular of tumour cells to better understand the specific mutations or alterations that drive cancer. Because each patient and each tumour are different, everyone will have different treatment options that work best for them, and this technology allows healthcare providers to provide the best plan for their patients.
Precision medicine, sometimes known as personalised medicine, is an innovative approach to tailoring disease prevention and treatment that takes into account differences in people's genes, environments, and lifestyles. The goal of precision medicine is to target the right treatments to the right patients at the right time, with minimal impact. Precision oncology includes the integration of molecular tumour profiles into clinical decision-making in cancer treatment. This new era of precision medicine has seen several new cancer therapeutics being developed for biomarker-defined subsets of patients.
These are incredible advancements in cancer care because they significantly improve the quality of lives of patients and reinforce hope for a brighter future.
That said, the first line of defence to tackle the disease is early detection, which helps in enhancing survival and lowering morbidity; it can decrease lung cancer mortality by 14 per cent to 20 per cent among high-risk populations. The problem is that most people are not aware of the early signs and risk factors, because of which they lose valuable time and see a doctor too late, and, therefore, do not get access to necessary treatment in time.
Smoking remains the leading risk factor for developing lung cancer
Although early lung cancer symptoms (which include persistent cough, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite, recurrent respiratory infections, chest pain, fatigue, hoarseness, shoulder or back pain) do not necessarily mean that an individual has lung cancer and are more likely to indicate other conditions, they should not be dismissed, especially if combined with risk factors.
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The leading risk factor for developing lung cancer is, undoubtedly, smoking, with 90 per cent of death cases linked to tobacco use (including cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking). There is also reason for concern regarding the use of e-cigarette devices and vaping fluids. The risk of lung cancer for smokers is considerably higher than for non-smokers. Second-hand smoke can also raise the risk of disease as it has the same chemicals that people who smoke inhale.
For instance, second-hand smoke is known to be the third most common cause of lung cancer in the US. Having a family history of lung cancer is also a risk factor for developing this disease: people who have a relative who suffered from cancer may be twice as likely to develop the disease as others. Other risk factors include living in areas with higher levels of air pollution and exposure to radon, asbestos and other cancer-causing agents that can be found in some workplaces.
Taking action is key to reducing the incidence of lung cancer and save lives
Raising awareness about lung cancer, including sharing information about cancer itself, its symptoms, and ways of prevention and treatment, can save lives. The Take Action campaign, launched by Pfizer — the global biopharmaceutical company — addresses the barriers to early detection of cancer with a focus on lack of awareness.
The project focuses on spreading knowledge about the risks and symptoms of lung cancer, battling stigma and misconceptions about the disease and its treatment, and calls for reducing tobacco use in public. It is also aimed at helping HCPs in building therapeutic doctor-patient communication, as easing patient and family anxieties can empower them to take control of their health while mindfulness-based stress reduction programmes are proven to be effective in reducing cancer-related symptoms.
Lung cancer remains a global health challenge that affects the lives of millions of patients and their loved ones. While great progress has been made in raising awareness about this life-altering disease, it is our collective responsibility to continue raising awareness about its risk factors, warning signs, available therapy options and the role of emotional support in ensuring the effectiveness of treatment.
By educating people, we can reduce the incidence of lung cancer and save lives. Cancer issues can be overwhelming and even hard to think about – but we are here to act and make a difference together.
Hatem El Kadi is the Regional Oncology Medical Lead at Pfizer.
References available on request
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