Every year, more than 23,000 Poles hear a diagnosis of lung cancer. The disease can be cured, but one of the conditions is early detection. In order to improve the statistics of early diagnosis, the Polish National Programme for Early Detection of Lung Cancer (WWRP) by Low-Dose Computed Tomography (NDTK) is in place. Information about the programme and a detailed list of the centres implementing it are available, among others, on the website of the OnkoCafe Foundation - Together Better campaign "Onkopomocnik - knowledge is important".
Lung cancer is a disease that often has no symptoms in its early stages. For this reason, it is very difficult to detect at the time when the chances of a complete cure are greatest. This is why screening is so important for this cancer. People in high-risk groups should be particularly targeted. As the co-founder of the early detection programme for lung cancer in Poland explains, Prof. Mariusz Adamek, MD, pulmonologist at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze - Silesian Medical University in Katowice, in conversation with editor Monika Rachtan, risk factors include age and duration of smoking.
- We are talking about people between the ages of 55 and 74. Why is this? Because the peak incidence of lung cancer in people who have smoked or smoke is between the ages of 65 and 75. On the other hand, in a person if there is an additional risk factor, e.g. obstructive pulmonary disease, lung fibrosis, lung cancer in a first-degree relative, then we start screening from the age of 50. And as for total tobacco consumption, originally it was 30 pack-years, now it's 20 pack-years worldwide. And the time since abstinence, which is the longest possible and keeps the risk at such a level that it justifies testing, is 15 years. calculates the expert.
A test that helps detect lung cancer at an early stage and has a proven impact on reducing mortality is low-dose CT. For this reason, there are relevant pilot programmes throughout the European Union to help Poland detect this cancer early. In Poland, the National Programme for Early Detection of Lung Cancer (WWRP) with Low-Dose Computed Tomography (NDTK) plays such a role.
– As of today, this is the only method that can result in the fact that in 10-15 years, we will be talking about survival in lung cancer, as has been achieved with breast cancer: 5-year survival of more than 80%, with colorectal cancer of more than 70% or with prostate cancer of 90 several percent - said Professor Mariusz Adamek.
The programme is co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund and is scheduled to run until the end of 2023. The natural question then arises: will it continue in the following months?
- there is a high probability that this will be a guaranteed benefit, as it is stated in the National Cancer Strategy Document. That is, funded by the National Health Fund - announced the expert.
– Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Poland and is also the most common cause of death in oncology. It is an insidious cancer, giving no symptoms in the early stages when it can be treated radically, which is why it is so difficult to detect early enough. Patients are often unaware that such a dangerous disease is developing in their lungs. That is why, as part of the next instalment of our educational campaign called 'Oncopomedicator', we have decided to spread awareness of lung cancer prevention and, in particular, early diagnosis. We hope that Polish patients, despite the planned end of the current early detection programme for lung cancer, will also have unwavering access to it from 1 January 2024. - said Anna Kupiecka, President of the OnkoCafe Foundation - Together Better, initiator of the campaign 'Onkopomocnik - knowledge is important'.
The full content and video recording of the conversation between editor Monika Rachtan and Professor Mariusz Adamek is available on the website onkopomocnik.pl and on the YouTube channel of the OnkoCafe Foundation - Together Better: