May 31 is World No Tobacco Day and oncologist Dr. Suellen Nastri Castro speaks about the topic at the request of the Cura Project Institute

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), smoking is the leading preventable cause of illness and early death in the world, and is related to several serious diseases such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis), coronary artery disease (angina and heart attack), and stroke (also known as “stroke”). In addition, the use of tobacco is also related to conditions such as infertility and sexual impotence.

It is estimated that smoking is associated with one third of all diagnosed cancers. Globally, there are more than 8 million deaths a year related to tobacco, 7 million from active use and 1.2 million from passive exposure.

Brazil is considered an example, a reference, as one of the countries that smokes the least, due to the establishment of federal anti-smoking laws. As a result, these laws allowed for a significant reduction in smoking in the country.

According to Dr. Suellen Nastri Castro, oncologist, “quitting smoking promotes several health benefits for individuals, including those who already have complications associated with smoking. The cessation of smoking, at any age, allows a significant increase in a person's life expectancy, in addition to, of course, improving the quality of life”.

The specialist also reinforces the importance of the existence of smoking cessation programs in several hospitals/institutions across Brazil, and that they have several professionals who assist the individual in this process, offering follow-up, drug treatments and psychotherapy. “It is highly recommended to carry out periodic examinations for the early detection of serious diseases related to cigarettes, such as low-dose radiation tomography annually in a population at risk for lung cancer, such as people who are smokers, or former smokers, aged 50-80 years“, said the doctor.

For more information, talk to your doctor. If you can't quit smoking on your own, ask for help!

Collaboration:

Dr. Suellen Nastri Castro (CRM-SP 151.417) - Clinical Oncologist at Hospital BP — The Benedicência Portuguesa de São Paulo. Author of the book Overcoming Lung Cancer and Pleural Mesothelioma from the Overcoming Cancer Institute. Graduated in clinical oncology from the Brazilian Institute for Cancer Control in São Paulo (now São Camilo Oncology)

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