February 4, 2025 - World cancer day
GAZETTE
Lung cancer causes 8.400 deaths per year in the country. Unlike other types of cancer, such as breast, colorectal and cervical cancer, there is no national program for the prevention and early detection of the disease. See infographic here
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the country, with 13.000 new cases and 8.400 deaths per year at an annual cost of $556 million. However, unlike breast, colorectal and cervical cancer, Argentina does not have a national program for periodic monitoring or screening of the at-risk population. Having such a program could allow the detection of the pathology at earlier stages and improve the prognosis of patients, according to a new document from the Institute of Clinical and Health Effectiveness (IECS), an institution affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of the UBA, which examined the situation in the country.
“There is vast evidence showing that the early detection lung cancer can change the course of the disease, providing the opportunity for access to potentially curative treatments. Developing a national program for prevention, early detection and timely treatment can contribute to a longer survival of the patients, reduce costs and inequalities in access to the health system”, concluded the IECS research team that carried out this research, which was funded by the AstraZeneca laboratory. This work is available at www.iecs.org.ar/cancer-de-pulmon, a website launched this year and created specifically to disseminate scientific material and promote the adoption of better public policies related to this disease.
According to the lead author, Dr. Andrea Alcaraz, coordinator of Health Technology Assessment at IECS, Most cases of lung cancer currently detected in the country are in advanced stages, which requires more expensive treatments and is associated with lower survival expectancy”.
“Furthermore, there are more cases in sectors with lower socioeconomic resources and this population is diagnosed later. This means that the most disadvantaged sectors are the most affected by this disease,” added Valentina Stacco, a communications graduate and member of the work team.”
SCREENING PROPOSAL
The new document states that the strategies implemented by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the implementation of prevention and early detection programs for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer "have proven to be effective and timely," which allows us to consider the possibility of implementing similar strategies for other types of cancer.
A key aspect of these programs is the identification of the “target” or higher-risk population and the screening method. According to the “Consensus on lung cancer screening”* In Argentina, published in 20232 and in which the IECS and a dozen institutions participated, it is recommended an annual examination with low-radiation computed tomography. This recommendation is for all People between 55 and 74 years that smoke 30 or more packs of cigarettes a year or who have done so up to less than 15 years ago (smoking explains 8 out of 10 cases of lung cancer).
Although incorporating the use of CT scanners for annual check-ups would have a budgetary impact on the health system, the strategy "could lead to additional savings because Treating a sick person early costs much less than treating them in advanced stages.“,” Dr. Alcaraz and colleagues noted.
In Argentina, Only the provinces of Corrientes and Misiones implemented pilot tests of programs for the early detection of lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography., although there is still too little time to evaluate the results. Some private hospitals in Buenos Aires have also started programs for their members.
A international, countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Taiwan have launched lung cancer screening programs or studies at the national level, with exams every one or two years, while Brazil moved forward in 2022 with a pilot experience. In some countries, mobile CT scanners were implemented, which sought to eliminate the physical distances that often explain the lack of access to screening in the most needy areas.
* Boyeras I, Roberti J, Seijo M, et al. Argentine consensus recommendations for lung cancer screening programs: a RAND/UCLA- modified Delphi study. BMJ Open 2023;13:e068271. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068271
Lung cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach, where it is not enough to have CT equipment available. The IECS team proposed a Toolkit with 12 recommendations for a comprehensive program to confront this devastating cancer.
- Develop awareness and sensitization campaigns.
- Promote smoking cessation.
- Promote early detection to improve patient survival and quality of life.
- Ensure continuous monitoring and quality care.
- Ensure timely treatment.
- Establish care networks to ensure proper coordination and navigation of patients at different levels of care.
- Promote a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach.
- Use computer systems to improve traceability within the health system.
- Allocate resources and adequate infrastructure to ensure quality care and cushion the economic impact on the health system.
- Promote ongoing training for health professionals.
- Evaluate and monitor the program.
- Involve different actors (patient associations, family members, private sector, foundations, academia, etc.) and generate alliances.
" prevention and early detection of lung cancer It is not only a health imperative, but also for all Economic commitment . The cost of lung cancer is 16 times higher than what the national government invests in the prevention and control of all chronic non-communicable diseases“such as diabetes, acute myocardial infarction, stroke and respiratory diseases,” concluded Dr. Carla Colaci, physician and researcher at IECS.
MORE MATERIALS:
See infographic “Lung cancer in Argentina: where we are and where we are going” here.
Watch video here
See study here It was funded by AstraZeneca.
See technical document (“policy brief” Strategies for the development of a lung cancer prevention and early detection program in Argentina”) here
ABOUT IECS:
The IECS is an independent academic institution dedicated to research, education and technical cooperation in health. Founded in 2002, it is an institution affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) that is home to a CONICET executing unit, a WHO Collaborating center and a Cochrane Center.
The mission of the IECS is “to contribute to improving global health, generating and promoting the application of the best scientific evidence.”
In 2018, the IECS was honored by the WHO for its work against the tobacco pandemic in Latin America. See here
See institutional video here Visit institutional website at: www.iecs.org.ar
IECS PRESS CONTACT: Lic. Mariana Comolli, mcomolli@iecs.org.ar