What to know about lung cancer after Pope Leo’s diagnosis
After Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican announced that he had been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a form of Lungenkrebs. Reports say his cancer was found early, before it spread to other parts of the body, and the surgery was completed successfully.
This news about the leader of the Catholic Church is shining a light on lung cancer—a cancer that continues to be highly stigmatized and has the lowest screening rates of any routine cancer screening.
Despite its link to cigarette smoking, lung cancer is not limited to people who smoke—anyone can get lung cancer. Here’s what you need to know.
Symptoms
There are usually no symptoms of lung cancer in early stages. When present, some people experience symptoms that can include:
- Ein Husten, der nicht verschwindet oder sich verschlimmert
- Blut husten
- Constant or intermittent and unexplained chest pain
- Wiederholte Lungenentzündung oder Bronchitis
- Gewichtsverlust und Appetitlosigkeit
- Lang anhaltende Heiserkeit
- Keuchen oder Kurzatmigkeit
- Fühle mich die ganze Zeit sehr müde
Talk with your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.
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Vorsorgeuntersuchungen
Lung cancer screening is currently limited to people who are at increased risk due to a history of smoking cigarettes. If you smoke cigarettes or used to smoke cigarettes, talk to your doctor about getting screened with a low-dose CT scan, an easy and painless screening procedure. Low-dose CT scans are fast and utilize up to 90% less radiation than traditional CT scans.
Lung cancer screening is recommended for people ages 50-80 who have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking cigarettes.
Treatment
Treatment depends on a variety of factors, including the type of tumor cells, the stage of the cancer, the presence or absence of certain proteins or genetic mutations, and your medical condition.
Treatment options can include surgery (the usual treatment for early stages of lung cancer), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Who is at increased risk?
Smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of lung cancer; about 80-90% of lung cancer deaths are linked to cigarette smoking. But it is not the only factor that increases your risk. It is important to be aware of all your personal risk factors and to discuss them with your health care provider.
Sie haben ein erhöhtes Risiko für Lungenkrebs, wenn Sie:
- Smoke or have a history of smoking—even if you quit a long time ago.
- Waren starker Passivrauchbelastung ausgesetzt.
- Waren Luftverschmutzung im Innen- oder Außenbereich ausgesetzt.
- Sie waren beruflich einer Strahlenbelastung ausgesetzt.
- Waren bestimmten giftigen Stoffen wie Arsen, Radon oder Asbest ausgesetzt.
- Liegt bei Ihnen oder in der Familie eine Vorgeschichte von Lungenkrebs vor.
How can I reduce my risk?
It’s important to understand that even if you are engaging in high-risk behaviors, such as smoking, no one deserves lung cancer. If you smoke or used to smoke, the most important thing is to talk to your health care provider so you can get screened and have the best chance at a healthy future.
It’s never too late to quit. Quitting smoking has near-immediate benefits to your cancer risk and overall health.
You may also reduce your risk of lung cancer through these lifestyle-related modifications:
- Avoid all forms of tobacco.
- Vermeiden Sie Passivrauchen.
- Essen Sie viel Obst und Gemüse.
- Consult with your health care provider before taking any supplements.
- Machen Sie Ihr Zuhause und Ihre Gemeinde rauchfrei.
- Testen Sie Ihr Zuhause auf Radon.
Remember, anyone can get lung cancer, but Early Detection = Better Outcomes. Know your risk factors and talk to your health care provider about what you can do to stay ahead of lung cancer.
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