Notice warnings of lung cancer in the society

Lung cancer has been a devastating affliction for centuries, claiming numerous lives throughout history. Extensive surveys conducted in the 1940s and 1950s provided compelling evidence linking lung cancer to smoking, though the precise origins of the disease remained elusive in the early 20th century.
In the contemporary era, the spectre of lung cancer looms over individuals in developed, developing, and underdeveloped nations alike. The pervasive threat is fuelled by a myriad of pollution sources, primarily stemming from industrial processes that contribute to a global surge in lung cancer cases. In addition to environmental factors, personal behaviours such as smoking, unsanitary living conditions, malnutrition, and a lack of personal hygiene serve as significant contributors to the rise of lung cancer.
A recent joint statement by the World Health Organization’s Cancer Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released on 1 February disclosed alarming statistics. Approximately 20 million people worldwide were diagnosed with new cases of cancer in 2022, resulting in 9.7 million fatalities. Lung cancer emerged as a formidable adversary, claiming the lives of 1.8 million patients, constituting 18.7 per cent of all cancer-related deaths. This underscores a concerning upward trend in cancer-related mortality across the globe.
As the urgency of the lung cancer epidemic is recognized, countries worldwide are intensifying efforts to combat smoking. The insidious nature of the disease is not confined to active smokers; passive smoking, exposure to Radon emissions, contact with particulate matter, chemical elements, chronic lung diseases, air pollution, and radiation treatment all contribute to the prevalence of lung cancer.
In Myanmar, lung cancer disproportionately affects male citizens, with one in five cancer-related deaths attributed to this ailment, as reported by the Department of Public Health. Notably, 90 per cent of these cases are linked to smoking. It is evident that smokers face a staggering 15-25 times higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers, emphasizing the imperative for everyone to shun this hazardous habit for the sake of their well-being and the well-being of those in their proximity.
The perilous nature of tobacco is highlighted by research from 1980, revealing over 340 chemical elements within it that have carcinogenic potential. Alarmingly, lung cancer patients face bleak prospects, with an 80 per cent majority being smokers. It is crucial for individuals to reject smoking and embrace healthier choices so as to mitigate the societal and personal toll of this disease.