What are the secondary and tertiary prevention of lung cancer? Two things you must know to prevent lung cancer

As we all know, primary prevention is to nip lung cancer cells in the bud, but if primary prevention is not done well, secondary and tertiary prevention work needs to be done well. With the development of modern society and the improvement of medical standards, modern lung cancer prevention work has become more and more perfect. The following experts elaborate on the main contents of these two levels of prevention.

1. Secondary prevention of lung cancer

The initial screening and early diagnosis of lung cancer mainly use X-ray examination (fluoroscopy, chest film, chest anteroposterior and lateral film, tomography, CT film), sputum exfoliative cytology, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, etc. The United States conducted three large-sample randomized controlled clinical trials in the 1970s and 1980s to evaluate the role of sputum cells and X-ray examinations in lung cancer screening. Since they cannot significantly reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer, screening of the general population is not advocated. However, there is currently a lack of evidence to prove that these screening or early diagnosis can reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer, so large-scale screening in the general population is not appropriate. With the completion of the human genome project and the start of proteome research, many related new technologies and methods continue to emerge. It has gradually become possible to find ideal tumor markers for screening, early diagnosis, prognosis and guidance of individual treatment of common tumors, thereby predicting the risk of lung cancer in individuals and conducting early diagnosis and treatment of patients.

2. Tertiary prevention of lung cancer

Although there have been great progress in the clinical treatment of lung cancer in recent years, there is currently a lack of simple, practical and effective methods to quickly and correctly diagnose lung cancer patients. By the time pathological diagnosis is made, the disease is usually in the middle or advanced stage, and the opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment has been lost. In addition, due to the characteristics of lung cancer itself, the 5-year relative survival rate of lung cancer is still low, generally below 15%. Tertiary prevention is mainly to provide comprehensive and effective treatment for lung cancer patients, prevent recurrence and metastasis, focus on rehabilitation, palliative and analgesic treatment, and provide physiological, psychological, nutritional and exercise guidance to maximize the survival rate and quality of life of patients. Lung cancer is preventable. Although the mortality rate of lung cancer in my country will continue to rise for some time due to the aging of the population and the large population base exposed to unhealthy lifestyles and environments such as smoking, as long as we persevere and focus on prevention, I believe that there will be greater achievements in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.