Lung cancer claims 12 lives a day in Portugal, but advances in treatments offer new hope.
August 1 | World Lung Cancer Day
- Every day, 14 Portuguese people are diagnosed with lung cancer .
- In 2023, 4,490 lives were lost to this disease, a worrying record
- The Northern Region accounts for 36% of lung cancer deaths
On this World Lung Cancer Day, the Lung Cancer Study Group (GECP) draws attention to a dual reality: despite the alarming numbers that continue to mark this disease, in Portugal, advances in treatments are significantly changing the paths of many patients. Without neglecting the urgency of strengthening prevention and early diagnosis, fundamental pillars in the fight against lung cancer, the GECP emphasizes that, today more than ever, and thanks to the remarkable advances in the approach and treatment of this disease, there is reason to believe that we will eventually succeed in turning this condition into a chronic disease.
Every day, 14 Portuguese people are diagnosed with lung cancer, and 12 lives are lost to this silent disease every day. In 2023 alone, lung cancer accounted for 4,490 deaths in Portugal, a record number that reflects a growing and alarming trend. The northern region of the country is particularly affected, accounting for 36% of deaths associated with this disease. Tobacco remains the main risk factor for lung cancer, being associated with approximately 80 to 85% of diagnosed cases. This reality makes prevention absolutely crucial. The increasing prevalence of smoking among women and the increasingly earlier onset of smoking partly explain the alarming rise in female lung cancer mortality in recent years. Despite the dire situation, the GECP emphasizes that there is reason for optimism. In recent years, precision medicine has evolved remarkably, offering several more effective treatment options. The main current approaches include targeted therapies and immunotherapy. According to Daniela Madama, a member of the GECP Scientific Committee, "precision medicine has revolutionized lung cancer treatment, offering increasingly effective, less aggressive, and better-tolerated therapies that allow many patients to live longer and with a better quality of life, even in the most advanced stages of the disease." She adds that, "we are now able to offer personalized treatment options, tailored to the biological characteristics of each tumor, and this is having a real impact on reducing mortality and improving patients' quality of life." A direct reflection of these advances is the fact that, over the last 20 years, there has been a decrease in premature mortality associated with lung cancer in Portugal, from 37.3% in 2003 to 27.7% in 2023, among people under 65.
On this day, the GECP also highlights the recent news about the progress of two pilot lung cancer screening projects, a measure long awaited by the medical and scientific community. "For us, this decision was received with great satisfaction and hope. It's a fundamental step towards detecting the disease earlier, when the chances of effective treatment and cure are much greater," emphasizes the Pulmonology specialist.
To mark World Lung Cancer Day, GECP is sharing the video "Lung Cancer in Portugal" on its social media channels. This video raises awareness about the reality of this disease, its symptoms, and the worrying numbers that continue to rise in our country. But above all, this video conveys a message of hope, demonstrating that advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment can change the course of lung cancer and offer a new perspective to thousands of patients and their families.
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