There is a lung cancer epidemic in Turkey due to cigarette addiction and air pollution. So much so that while more than 41 thousand people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year across the country, more than 33 thousand of these people are men and 7 thousand are women. In the report, which predicts that the number of lung cancer cases will increase by 70 percent throughout Turkey by 2044, the Turkish Thoracic Society report underlines that 68 out of every 100 thousand men struggle with the disease, and that even 30 percent of people who are passive smokers have a risk of developing lung cancer.
FOURTH COUNTRY
The report points out that cigarettes are responsible for 85 percent of lung cancer cases, and e-cigarette products smuggled into the country; It is revealed that it contains 7 thousand chemicals, 70 carcinogens and 8 thousand different flavors. Among the underlined headlines is that Turkey is among the countries with the highest lung cancer rate after China, the USA and Japan.
INCREASE IS ALARMING
Evaluating the data reflected in the reports, Turkish Thoracic Association Board Member Prof. Dr. Gaye Ulubay said, “68 out of every 100 thousand men struggle with this disease. Lung cancer ranks 4th in women after breast, thyroid and colorectal cancer types. However, “The increase in lung cancer in women is alarming.” he said.
SERIOUS THREAT
Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Tuncay Göksel drew attention to both the increase in tobacco use and air pollution and said: “The most important cause of lung cancer is tobacco use and air pollution. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs and electronic cigarettes pose a serious threat. Particulate matter, especially PM 2.5 and PM 10, creates serious negative effects on health in Turkey. In major cities, these particle levels are above the safe limits set by the World Health Organization. On the other hand, another important problem is the frequency of COPD. Unfortunately, the prevalence of COPD in citizens over the age of 45 in Turkey is at 8.8 percent.”
AIR POLLUTION ALSO CAUSES SICK!
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öztürk (former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization)
“Air pollution limits are constantly exceeded in many cities, especially in Istanbul and Ankara. In addition to the effects of fog and high pressure, pollutants from diesel vehicles and house and factory chimneys trigger lung diseases. The PM10 level, which should not exceed the limit value of 50 micrograms per cubic meter, is 60 in most districts. It is measured at the microgram/cubic meter level. We do not know the PM 2.5 values, but if the limits are exceeded, it means that we are breathing poison as if we smoked a cigarette. A person breathes 12 thousand to 14 thousand liters of air a day. However, polluted air occurs in Istanbul, especially in the morning and evening hours. Anyone who breathes this air becomes sick.”
WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY
According to the reports prepared by health institutions and scientists in the last two years, 110 thousand people die from smoking-related diseases every year in Turkey, while the frequency of tobacco and tobacco product use in women over the age of 15 throughout the country has reached the highest level in the history of the Republic. 9 percent of total health expenditures in Turkey are spent on smoking-related diseases. 23.8 percent of tobacco users use cigarettes and their derivatives every day. 40 percent of those who start smoking are under the age of 15, 50 percent are between the ages of 15-19, and 10 percent are aged 20 and over.
(email protected)
