Stop smoking, eat healthy, exercise and prevent lung cancer—expert

The Department of Health (DOH) said that lung cancer, considered a silent killer, is one of the most common types of cancer in the Philippines.

Over 17,000 Filipinos died of lung cancer in 2020.

In line with the Lung Cancer Awareness Month last month, HealthJustice Philippines reminded Filipinos to take care of their lungs.

In the US, HealthJustice Philippines cited that vaping has been linked to 68 deaths and over 2,807 cases of lung injury related to vaping. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), likewise, HealthJustice noted, has called this outbreak EVALI, or E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury.

“For your overall health, it is important to have healthy lungs. That is why it is necessary that you prioritize your lung health,” said Health Justice trustee Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan

Under Republic Act No. 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, the DOH will lead, coordinate and supervise the nationwide yearly observance of Lung Cancer Awareness Month every November.

“Also, smokers should quit for smoking is the major cause of lung cancer,” he stressed adding that smoking also causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

To achieve healthy lungs, Dr. Galvez Tan, who is also a former DOH Secretary, said that one should avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, indoor pollutants like chemicals, outdoor pollutants, and cold or other respiratory infection.

“Visit your doctor regularly to prevent diseases, eat healthy food and exercise for being physically active can help keep your lungs healthy,” Dr. Galvez Tan concluded.

Lung cancer ranked second among the most common types of the disease in the Philippines and is the leading cause of mortality in the country among all types of cancer, recent data from GLOBOCAN 2020, the online database of Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), showed.

According to GLOBOCAN 2020, lung cancer ranked second among the most common type of the disease in the Philippines after recording a total of 19,180 or 12.5 percent of the total 153,751 new cases in both males and females in all age groups in 2020. Breast cancer ranked first with 27,163 new cases last year. 

BY CLAUDETH MOCON-CIRIACO of BusinessMirror