Get screened for lung cancer, urge doctors

Medical experts at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi have encouraged members of the public to get screened for lung cancer, even if they have never smoked

Dr. Usman Ahmad, department Chair of Thoracic Surgery in the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi said: “Lung cancer is one of the most common, complex, and aggressive forms of cancer, and the second most lethal type of cancer in the UAE. But thanks to early detection, better understanding of the disease, new treatments, and less invasive surgeries, the outlook for a person diagnosed with lung cancer is better than ever. We encourage people with a predisposition for this disease, high-risk individuals with a smoking history and aged 50 years and above, to be screened at their earliest.”

November is designated as Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Secondhand smoke from other people's cigarettes, pipes, shisha, or cigars also puts people at risk. Dr Ali Saeed Wahla, staff physician in the Respiratory Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi said: “The message is simple: early detection saves lives. Unfortunately, lung cancer is often caught too late. Patients diagnosed in the earlier stages have access to a greater range of therapeutic alternatives. We recommend screening once a year for high-risk groups, and even for people as young as 20 who experience reoccurring symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or ongoing chest pain.