Results for: Lung Cancer

Cancer is a serious disease, but it is important to remember that it is not always a death sentence. Advances in medicine have made it possible to treat many types of cancer, and even those that cannot be cured can often be managed to prolong life. It is important to be aware of the risks of cancer and to take steps to reduce your risk, but it is also important to avoid becoming overly fearful of the disease. If you are diagnosed with cancer, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment can improve your chances of survival.

Following the tragic loss of health advocate Angela Stief Lea to lung cancer, N.B. Lung is urging the provincial government to provide financial assistance to New Brunswickers facing elevated radon levels in their homes. Radon, an odorless and colorless radioactive gas, poses a significant lung cancer risk, especially in New Brunswick, which has one of the highest prevalence rates in the country. While testing is crucial for early detection, the cost of mitigation measures can be a barrier for many households.

Medical experts are raising concerns about outdated cancer screening guidelines in Canada, which they say are leading to late diagnoses and potentially preventable deaths. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care’s guidelines recommend against routine breast cancer screening for women under 50, despite evidence that earlier screening can improve survival rates. The guidelines for other types of cancer, such as cervical, lung, and prostate cancer, are also out of date and do not take into account the latest research. As a result, many provinces have begun ignoring the national guidelines and offering screening to younger women or using different methods. Experts are calling for an urgent review of the guidelines to ensure that Canadians have access to the best possible care.

Dame Esther Rantzen, the 83-year-old founder of Childline, has announced that she will not be able to attend the Westminster debate on assisted dying due to her stage four lung cancer diagnosis. Despite her desire to be present, she explained that health issues prevent her from doing so. Rantzen has been considering traveling to Dignitas in Switzerland for an assisted death but has expressed concern over the legal consequences her family could face under current laws. She emphasized that the decision should be hers, as it is her life, and that she supports the majority view that assisted dying should be a personal choice. The upcoming debate marks the first time MPs will discuss the issue in nearly two years, following the publication of legislation in Scotland to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill individuals.