The Lower Silesian Centre for Oncology, Pulmonology and Haematology in Wrocław invites you to take part in the National Programme for Early Detection of Lung Cancer, the main aim of which is to raise awareness of lung cancer and reduce mortality among those affected by the disease. Recruitment continues until the end of November. The project leader is the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice.
Patients from the Opolskie and Dolnośląskie voivodeships interested in participating in the programme are asked to contact the facility at tel: 71 726 25 25
Who can take part in the programme?
The project is aimed at people at risk of lung cancer, in particular:
1. aged 55-74 years who:
• smoke cigarettes compulsively - tobacco consumption is greater than or equal to 20 pack-years, (number of pack-years = number of years you have smoked x average number of packs smoked per day, e.g. you have smoked a pack a day for 20 years, you have smoked 2 packs a day for 10 years)
• have quit smoking no more than 15 years ago
• have no symptoms suggestive of lung cancer
• have no history of lung cancer
2. between the ages of 50 and 74 with a tobacco consumption of 20 packs or more, a period of tobacco abstinence of no more than 15 years and have one of the following risk factors:
• occupational exposure to silica, beryllium, nickel, chromium, cadmium, asbestos, arsenic compounds, diesel exhaust, coal combustion
• smoke, soot,
• exposure to radon,
• individual history of cancer: history of lung cancer, history of lymphoma, head and neck cancer or smoking-dependent cancers such as
• bladder cancer,
• history of lung cancer in first-degree relatives,
• history of lung disease: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
What does the programme look like?
There will be three visits as part of the programme:
First visit - Qualifying visit (visit duration 15-20 minutes), after which the doctor will refer the patient for a low-dose CT scan.
Second visit - Performance of the low-dose CT scan. CT is not an inert examination, but in this case the dose of potentially harmful radiation is very low.
Third visit - Outcome visit, during which the doctor:
discusses the results of the examination;
if no changes are detected, informs about the next examination in a year;
explain the nature of the potentially detected lung lesions and how to proceed;
will inform you of the possible need for: an additional low-dose CT scan in 6 or 3 months, invasive tests (biopsy) or surgery;
will also provide advice on how to stop smoking and how to prevent lung cancer.
What does the patient gain by participating in the programme?
If the doctor decides to perform the test, the patient will undergo a low-dose CT scan and the doctor will discuss the results. If emphysema is detected, the programme participant will receive a pulmonology consultation and recommendations for further management. If, in turn, other respiratory or cardiovascular diseases are detected that can be detected with the NDTK, the patient will be informed about recommended consultations with other specialists. Furthermore, each participant in the programme will receive anti-tobacco advice.
For more information on the programme: https://www.lungcheck.pl/
Lung cancer - the biggest killer of all cancers
Every year nearly 22,000 Poles die because of it. Lung cancer is also the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumour in Poland. Annually, this dangerous disease is diagnosed in about 22 thousand people.
The main cause of the appearance and development of cancer cells in the lungs is smoking. As many as 90 % of patients are people who have been exposed to the harmful components of tobacco smoke.
It is worth noting that people who smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products live an average of 10 years less than non-smokers. Smokers have an increased risk of tobacco-related cancers (primarily lung cancer, but also mouth and throat and laryngeal cancers, oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer) and cardiovascular diseases (e.g. coronary heart disease or hypertension) and respiratory diseases (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Smoking can be given up at any age, which reduces the risk of cancer cells in the lungs.
Possible symptoms of lung cancer:
• Chronic, worsening cough or change in its nature
• Haemoptysis
• Hoarseness
• Shortness of breath increasing over months
• General exhaustion (chronic fatigue syndrome)
• Chest pain worsening with deep breathing or coughing
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss of 5 kg / 3-6 months
• History of lung cancer - according to NCCN: after treatment (radical) for 2-3 years CT with contrast every 6 m, then NDTK,
i.e. possible recruitment to the programme
• General condition (WHO/ECOG/Zubrod) or concomitant conditions precluding invasive diagnosis and surgery
Importantly, many patients with lung cancer have no symptoms at the start of the disease. It is best to detect lung cancer early, before they appear.
