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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : February 24, 2015 1:18 AM IST
Raising an issue that has been ignored for long in the case of lung cancer patients, experts have urged physicians to pay more attention on how such patients suffer difficulties with sexual expression and intimacy. 'It is time that doctors and scientists paid more attention to this important issue,' suggested Stephane Droupy from University Hospital of Nimes, France. He was addressing the gathering at the fourth European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC) on Friday.
Researchers have estimated that sexual dysfunction affects between 40 and 100 percent of patients who undergo cancer treatment. Studies reveal that these problems may persist in due course rather than improving. 'We still have to do a lot of work on the awareness of sexual problems after cancer - lung cancer in particular. We hope that our session at ELCC would help begin the discussion about how best to help this group of patients,' Droupy added.
The emotional and physical consequences of lung cancer, as well as the impact of treatments, can all affect sexuality, he said. For example, patients often experience a loss of libido when they learn they have cancer. The feelings of grief and depression can also diminish desire. The physical changes that result from cancer and the impact of treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can also have negative impacts on sexual expression, he noted.
Unlike other cancers, where survival is improving, lung cancer management often focuses on short-term quality of life improvement and palliative care. 'Sexuality is then even more difficult to protect or reconstruct in a short period of time when all efforts are made to stay alive,' Droupy added.
Another important step is for doctors and patients to have open and honest discussions about what the patient is going through. 'We know that sexuality is important for quality of life and marital relationships, yet health care professionals frequently avoid taking the sexual history of a cancer patient,' said Luca Incrocci, a radiation oncologist and sexologist from Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The 4th European Lung Cancer Conference is being held here March 26-29.
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer refers to uncontrolled cellular growth in the lung tissues. These lumps and tumours interfere with the normal functioning of the lungs, stopping it from performing its primary duty of providing oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Lung cancer, considered one of the most deadly forms of the disease, causes close to 1.4 million deaths per year, according to a World Health Organization estimate. The two main types of this cancer are small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).
Tobacco smoking, both active and passive, is the foremost reason for development of lung cancer. According to a new study, smoking ultra-long or long cigarettes can put you at greater risk of lung cancer. Heavy exposure to asbestos, radon, uranium, arsenic, genetic predisposition, and lung scarring from any prior illness can all cause lung cancer. Due to environmental pollution, lung cancer is increasing rapidly among Indian women in the 45 to 55 age group. Fine particulate matter in the air that lodges itself in the lungs causes harm over time, and damage starts early.
Cough, haemoptysis (coughing up blood), wheezing, shortness of breath, weight loss and chest pains are some of the common symptoms. But these symptoms usually show up in the advanced stage, often making the treatment ineffective. Scientists are now developing a breathalyser device that can detect lung cancer in early stages. Lung cancer may be diagnosed on chest X-rays and CT scans. Biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, either alone or in combination. Some of the latest advances in treatment are experimental drug called MK-3475, combination of drugs in targeted therapy against lung adenocarcinomas and therapeutic vaccine.
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