ABSTRACT
Lung cancer has become a global problem, from a rare disease to an emerging public health issue. The current data of GLOBOCAN 2018, indicates that this disease has recorded highest mortality among all types of cancer. The etiological factors of lung cancer have become more multiplex because of increasing industrialization and environmental pollution around the world, especially in India. There is a rise in incidence of lung cancer among non-smokers and this can be attributed to environmental and occupational exposure to various kinds of hazardous substances. Target mutations are high in Lung cancer among non-smokers when compared to smokers. Some developed countries have guidelines and policies for prevention and control of risk factors focusing on these issues. Intervention aiming for primary prevention can be an important and cost-effective tool in developing countries to deal with increasing incidence of lung cancer. There is a need to define high risk group among non-smokers after taking into account environmental and occupational determinants as important risk factors. Research on etiology of lung cancer and prevention provides evidence to work on global incidence and prevalence of lung cancer, and for designing cost effective lung cancer prevention strategies. Research in the area of lung cancer prevention should be considered to recognize the areas where action is required to prevent environment and occupation related lung cancer. The government and occupational health and safety organizations have taken many steps in the last few years that can help to protect workers from these exposures. But the dangers are still there, so there is a need to do more to limit these exposures around workplace. This whole situation guides us to advocate population-based intervention along with policy implementation.
ABSTRACT
Background: Carcinoma cervix is the second most common type of cancer in the world. With the increasing proportion of women surviving carcinoma of the cervix, quality of life has been an important clinical issue. Since there are very few studies from India, this study is to assess urinary dysfunction issues in patients of carcinoma cervix treated with multimodality therapy using the LENT SOMA scores. Methods: The study was prospective and patients treated between 1995 - 2007 on follow up were included in this study after ethical clearance. A total of 85 patients were accrued comprising 6 stage IB, 6 stage II A, 25 stage II B, 2 stage IIIA, 45 stage III B and 1 stage IV A disease. Sixty-six patients were treated with radiotherapy in which 46 patients received chemoradiotherapy and 19 had surgery prior to post-operative radiotherapy. The mean age was 47.81 years with a range of 25-68 years. Completion of LENT SOMA scale and Statistical analysis was done. Results: Mean score for BU (Bladder/Urethra) was highest (0.0758) in fifth year of treatment whereas UK (Ureter/Kidney score was highest (0.0408) after 4 years. Bladder score was more in 60-69 years of age and in stage IIIB patients of cervical cancers. Bladder morbidity was more in patients who received chemoradiotherapy and in patients who received radiotherapy with boost where Bladder and Urethra morbidity was more in patients who were treated with Extended Field radiation. Conclusions: The LENT SOMA system was acceptable and feasible to use and gave us an insight into the morbidity in our patients and to develop effective management plans to reduce the post treatment symptoms and improve quality of life.
