Health professionals are expressing growing concerns as the incidence of lung cancer among women in the Czech Republic sees a significant and worrisome uptick. Smoking, a well-established cause of fatal lung tumors, has become increasingly popular among women in recent years, contributing to a staggering rise in lung cancer cases among this demographic. While the number of new lung cancer cases in men is on the decline, the opposite trend is observed among women.

Martina Koziar Vašáková, Chairwoman of the Czech Pneumatological and Physiological Society, notes that the increase in lung cancer among women is a delayed effect of emancipation. In the 1970s, the proportion of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases in women was around 10 per 100,000 inhabitants. Today, this figure has surged to approximately 50 per 100,000.

Highlighting the misconception about the safety of nicotine substitutes like bags or electronic cigarettes, Vašáková emphasizes that there is no safe form of smoking. Nicotine, being an active ingredient in tobacco, is addictive and poses health risks, regardless of the delivery method. Despite government interventions, such as the recent law banning the sale of nicotine bags to those under 18, the urgency of the lung cancer issue persists.

The delayed onset of smoking among women compared to men is a critical factor contributing to the current surge in lung cancer cases among women. The addictive nature of nicotine further complicates the issue, emphasizing the need for comprehensive awareness campaigns and smoking cessation programs.

Lung cancer ranks as the fifth most common cancer type in the Czech Republic, underscoring the critical importance of heightened awareness about the dangers of smoking and the significance of early detection. As a considerable portion of men refrains from participating in screening programs, late-stage detection becomes a prevailing concern, underscoring the vital role of ongoing education and outreach efforts to combat this pressing public health issue.

Article by Prague Forum