Can Back Pain Be A Sign of Lung Cancer?

In Turkey, 70 Out of Every 100 Thousand People Get Lung Cancer

Stating that lung cancer is an insidious disease, Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Banu Musaffa Salepçi said, "When the tumor progresses and attacks the surrounding tissues, it gives the main finding. Back pain is one of these symptoms. When it reaches the chest wall, back and chest pain occur with the invasion of the bones there, this is the main symptom."

Stating that lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world and Turkey, especially among men, Yeditepe University Hospitals  Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Banu Musaffa Salepçi, within the scope of lung cancer awareness month, gave information about the treatment method, protection methods and frequency of occurrence.

70 Out ff Every 100,000 People in Turkey Have Lung Cancer

Stating that lung cancer ranks first among deaths from cancer, Prof. Dr. Salepçi said, "The highest rates of lung cancer are seen among men in Hungary from Eastern Europe, and in Russia, China, and Turkey from Western Asia. In Hungary, 78 out of 100,000 people have lung cancer, followed by 71 out of 100,000 in Serbia and 70 out of 100,000 in Turkey. Turkey ranks third in the world in the incidence of lung cancer among men. This is because the rate of smoking in these countries, especially among men, is 50 percent and above. The incidence of women is 100 thousand 38 in Hungary and 8 in 100 thousand in Turkey. In recent years, as the rate of smoking among women increases, the incidence of lung cancer increases."

Passive Smoking Causes Lung Cancer

Stating that the main cause of lung cancer is smoking, Prof. Dr. Salepçi said, "The rate of smoking by men compared to women all over the world is very high. Apart from tobacco use, radiation exposure, air pollution, and chronic lung diseases, and genetic predisposition can be listed among the causes of lung cancer. In addition, passive smoking is also the cause of lung cancer."

Early Detection Saves Lives

Stating that early diagnosis is very important in lung cancer, Prof. Dr. Salepçi said, "If it is diagnosed early, definitive treatment is possible by removing it with surgery. With early diagnosis, death rates are greatly reduced. There is a screening study by International Cancer Associations that has been implemented for the last 5-56 years. Accordingly, certain risk groups were defined. Having smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years between the ages of 55-75, being an active smoker, or quitting before the age of 15, this group was determined as the high-risk group. In order to detect cancer early, people in this group are advised to undergo low-dose tomography every year. A second risk group was defined, which included smoking 1 pack a day for 20 years at the age of 50 and above, continuing to smoke without quitting, in addition to having previous cancer, having a family history of lung cancer, and having chronic lung disease, which are also considered in the high-risk group. This group is also recommended to have a low-dose tomography screening every year."

Positive Results with Targeted Therapies

Stating that up to 30 percent of lung cancers are caught in the early stages, Prof. Dr. Salepçi, "Therefore, it is very important to catch cancer in stages 1 and 2, it is possible to treat it after stage 3, we have cases who have surgery. However, chemotherapy and radiotherapy also accompany the treatment. In stage 4, the main treatment is chemotherapy, it has spread to distant organs, and it is operated on if necessary. In recent years, we have seen good results in these patients with targeted treatment and vaccination, and the patient can live longer than expected."

"One of the Main Findings of Back and Thoracic Pain"

Stating that lung cancer is progressing stealthily, Prof. Dr. Salepçi said, "Because people are smokers, the coughing symptom is not very stimulating." These people also have COPD and asthma. When lung cancer progresses and attacks the surrounding tissues, it gives the main finding. Back pain is one of these symptoms. Back and chest pain may be one of the main findings when the bones in the chest wall are invaded by the tumor. Sometimes cancer splashes into the veins, then causes heavy bleeding through the mouth. Sometimes the tumor grows unnoticed, spreads to distant organs, reaches the brain, the patient comes to us paralyzed, coincidentally it turns out to be lung cancer. When it gives a finding, it either progresses regionally or metastasizes."

"Vitamin C Protects against Cancer"

Emphasizing that continuing to smoke while having lung cancer negatively affects treatment, Prof. Dr. Salepçi said, "Sports should be done, regular and healthy nutrition should be provided, but most importantly, it is necessary to stop smoking and not to smoke. Vitamin C protects against cancer, so avoid heavy and fatty foods. The incidence in young people is very low, but years ago, I lost a 32-year-old patient to lung cancer and started smoking at the age of 5. He had a history of lung cancer in his family."

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