- Approximately ¼ of the world's patients are non-smokers
- The most common type of cancer in Western Europe and in our country
- Every year in Bulgaria they get sick 4000 souls
- The disease affects men 6 times more often than women
- Proper diagnosis is key to a good outcome - this type of tumors count 8 varieties
Lung cancer is the most common disease among Bulgarians, which, however, not sufficiently recognized by citizens. This is shown by observations of the Association of Cancer Patients. According to The Global Lung Cancer Coalition, cited in an international study, close 3900 Bulgarians get lung cancer every year. They die every year 3600 man.
"Statistics tell us, that we must be very careful about health. Lung cancer is a "quiet" disease, passes often disguised behind others, banal and easily manageable conditions and there are many cases, in which Bulgarians are diagnosed very late. ”, commented Evgenia Alexandrova from the Association of Cancer Patients (APOZ).
The Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC), which brings together organizations and experts in the fight against lung cancer, a member of which is also APOZ, alarms, that global funding for lung cancer research should be increased. World research, in which Bulgaria is included, reveals a financial deficit in the financing of scientific activities, compared to other cancers. Lung cancer is the cause of more deaths, than any other cancer, but research shows, that it is the object of barely 5.6% from ALL global cancer research through 2013 r.
Most of the research on lung cancer – 53% – are focused on drugs, genetics and biomarkers, as barely 1% of the research is aimed at understanding and improving palliative and supportive care and problems, related to quality of life. This is despite the fact, that the majority of patients will need supportive care, given the poor survival of lung cancer.
“Palliative care in Bulgaria, including for lung cancer, are missing. This means, that everyone, who needs medical care and support in the last stage of his life, is left to fend for himself. ”, commented Evgenia Alexandrova.
Late detection of the disease is a constant problem, affecting treatment, but only 1,8% of general lung cancer research focuses on screening and 4,4% on diagnostics, says the coalition study.
Funds must be invested in Bulgaria in addition to science, and to promote the symptoms and treatment of lung cancer. “Lung cancer research needs to be significantly increased. The current rate of long-term survival, at best around 15%, should be raised to levels, reaching at least 50%, as is the case in patients with breast cancer, eg", commented on the goals of the Global Coalition Evgenia Alexandrova, President of the Association of Cancer Patients.
Recent cost analysis, related to cancer in the European Union, shows, that compared to other cancers, lung cancer is associated with the highest economic costs – 15% of the total cost of cancer treatment. Next is funding for breast cancer – 12% and funding for colorectal cancer treatment – 10%.
