Lung Cancer Cancer Awareness Month Nov 2005.
Women And Lung Cancer.
Thursday, 10 November 2005
Singapore, 10 November 2005 - The National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) have joined forces to organize various activities to promote lung cancer awareness in November 2005, the month which is internationally designated as Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM). This is the 2nd year of LCAM and the activities include a public forum and inviting a distinguished expert from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization to speak on global tobacco control initiatives.
Over the last 3 decades lung cancer has consistently been the number one killer of all cancers in Singapore (Singapore Cancer Registry). Just over 1000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in Singapore every year, and another 900 die from this devastating disease due to late diagnosis.
Why women should be wary
This year's campaign will focus on the fact that women can get lung cancer too. There are several reasons why women should remain vigilant:
| 1. |
While data from the Singapore Cancer Registry show relatively stable lung cancer incidence rates around 16 per 100000 women, there is changing epidemiological evidence of concern. A NCCS published study has shown a rising incidence adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma forms up to 70% of all lung cancers in non-smoking women compared to 20 -50% in previous reviews. |
| 2. |
The incidence of smoking amongst Singaporean women has also been rising - 5.2 % of women were smokers in 1998 compared with 6.2 % in the most recent National Health Survey 2004. |
| 3. |
There is also increasing susceptibility of women to cancer based on biological evidence. Women are up to 2.7 times at higher risk of lung cancer compared to males (Lung Cancer 2004). |
Dr Koong Heng Nung, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore and Chairman of LCAM emphasises: 'As women are naturally at higher risk of lung cancer, women (even those who don't smoke) should not dismiss lung cancer as a male disease. They should be mindful of prolonged coughing instead of passing it off as "flu"'.
Lung Cancer Clinical Trials: Hope for patients through access to cutting edge treatments
At NCCS, patients have the opportunity to access latest cutting edge treatments that are safe. Patients enjoy close monitoring by doctors at no charge. Up to 10 lung cancer clinical trials are on-going every year. Up to 500-600 patients have been recruited into lung cancer clinical trials to date.
Opportunity for public involvement
A free public forum in both English and Mandarin will be held on Saturday, 12 Nov 05 at the Revenue House Auditorium opposite Novena MRT. The English forum will be held from 1-3 pm and the Mandarin forum will be held from 3.30 pm - 5.30 pm. Registration is made by calling 62255655/ 62369432/ 62369434. The public can also purchase a ribbon from SingHealth polyclinics at $2 each. All proceeds will go to Singapore Cancer Society's public education programmes.
For more details, photos and media interviews on the above, please click [here].
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