Recent tobacco research results suggest that more than 8 million people die each year due to tobacco use. More than 7 million of those deaths are attributable to direct tobacco use, while 1.2 million nonsmokers are exposed to second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke. Because of this, in order to create awareness about tobacco, 31st May is observed annually as World No Tobacco Day. In this regard, Kiran Kumar, a lung cancer specialist shared with us:
“The problems caused by the continuous use of tobacco can be divided into two categories. One is non-cancer diseases and the other is tobacco-related cancers. Other non-cancer diseases include heart problems, heart attack, stroke, blood vessel blockage etc.
When taken as cancer, it causes lung cancer, mouth and throat cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer etc. These are cancers caused directly by tobacco use. As far as women with tobacco habits are concerned, breast cancer and cervical cancer occur.
Cause of cancer
A person who smokes more than 100 cigarettes in his lifetime is more likely to develop cancer. Moreover, some chain smokers even smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. The consequences for such people are very, very high. Lung cancer is more common in these people.
Apart from this, many are affected by second hand and third hand smoke. That is, second-hand smoke is caused by being around smokers and inhaling that smoke, even if they do not use tobacco directly. Third-hand smoke is the effect of someone staying in a room where someone has smoked.
Method of treatment
Cancers caused by tobacco are divided into stages 1-4. Up to three stages can be cured with some treatment. There are 5 types of treatment methods like surgery, radio therapy, chemo therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. In the first stage, it can be corrected by surgery. In stage two and three, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used. In the fourth stage, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are done.
But when you go to the fourth stage, the chance of cure is very less. Moreover, it can only be controlled, but it is very difficult to completely cure it. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are the current state-of-the-art treatments. Also, we will do a treatment called proton therapy. Through this, radiation treatment is given without affecting any other organs.
symptoms
If symptoms such as chronic cough, headache, coughing up blood, sudden weight loss, back or leg pain, difficulty breathing while walking, it is very important to see a doctor immediately.
For example, if a person has smoked cigarettes for more than 20 years, even if he has no problem, it is better to consult a doctor and get himself checked with a CT scan. This way, if there is any problem, it can be detected at the beginning. You can protect yourself by taking appropriate treatment methods.
solution
If one smokes for his own health, he must realize that he is destroying himself as well as those around him and quit smoking.
Nowadays, there are many pills, counseling centers to help people who are addicted to smoking and tobacco related habits to get rid of it. Go there and get out of this habit with their help”.