CSMC pushes for more awareness on lung health and improving lifestyle as part of preventive care

Lung cancer is the second-most prevalent cancer in the Philippines, bringing about nearly 17,000 fatalities among Filipinos in 2020. This is likely due to the very large smoking population - 28% or 17.3 million Filipinos over 15 years old are smokers.

According to the Philippine Cancer Society, lung cancer does not stay contained to the lungs. “Lung cancer could also spread through the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, and can metastasize in vital organs,” said Cardinal Santos Medical Center’s (CSMC) Section Head of Pulmonary Medicine and Lung Cancer expert, Dr. Percival P. Pangilinan.

Unfortunately, some signs and symptoms of lung cancer do not show at an early stage, making it hard to detect until the cancer is advanced. The main symptoms of lung cancer can include a long-term cough that worsens over time, persistent breathlessness, tiredness or fatigue, and coughing up blood.