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 肺癌. 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:

• 咳が治まらない、または悪化する
• 血を吐く
• Constant or intermittent and unexplained chest pain
• 肺炎または気管支炎の繰り返し
• 体重減少と食欲不振
• 声がかすれる状態が長く続く
• 喘鳴または息切れ
• 常に非常に疲れている

Talk with your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.

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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.

以下の場合には肺がんのリスクが高くなります。

• Smoke or have a history of smoking—even if you quit a long time ago.
• 受動喫煙に多量にさらされた。
• 屋内または屋外の大気汚染にさらされた。
• 放射線にさらされる仕事をしたことがある。
• ヒ素、ラドン、アスベストなどの特定の有毒物質にさらされた。
• 個人または家族に肺がんの病歴がある。

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.
• 受動喫煙を避けてください。
• 果物や野菜をたくさん食べましょう。
• Consult with your health care provider before taking any supplements.
• 自宅と地域社会を禁煙にしましょう。
• 自宅のラドンを検査してください。

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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