Lung cancer remains the most fatal tumour in the world and Portugal is no exception. Being a “silent” disease that takes time to develop symptoms , it is necessary to be aware of the risk factors – smoking leading ahead – and to undertake regular medical surveillance , as explained Sónia Rego , oncologist at Hospital da Luz Lisboa, in the TV show “Consultório”, broadcasted on August 1 by Porto Canal. “ Earliness and quickness in diagnosis are decisive to obtain better prognostics and results in treatment ”, highlighted the specialist, that practises oncology at Hospital da Luz Arrábida and Hospital da Luz Clínica do Porto. “The more exhaustive we are in characterizing the tumour, the better the adequacy of treatment”, she added, explaining the exams used in the diagnosis. Among the major symptoms that should lead patients to look for medical assistance, are: Persistent cough or different from usual; Persistent expectoration or different from usual (with blood or dark yellow colour); Hoarseness and voice alterations; Unexplained loss of weight or appetite. The oncologist approached the risk factors of the disease, highlighting smoking as the most significant one and emphasizing the importance of the Consultation of Smoking Cessation in the process to quit smoking. She also approached the cases of tumours mostly genetically determined. As for the possible treatments , “there has been a recent revolution with the introduction of immunotherapy”, but she alerted that this therapeutic is not always the most indicated for certain pathologies. Sónia Rego on Porto Canal
