This screening is an important tool to detect the main diseases directly related to tobacco: lung cancer and COPD.
The Pneumology Service of HCB Benidorm, led by Dr. Dick Pasker, a doctor specialising in Pneumology, has designed a specific check-up for smokers and ex-smokers that aims to detect early and/or prevent diseases directly related to tobacco consumption, mainly lung cancer and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco use is directly linked to deadly diseases such as lung and laryngeal cancer, the world’s ninth leading cause of death. In addition, tobacco is associated with more than 25 diseases, including respiratory diseases such as COPD.
The main objective of the HCB Benidorm check-up for smokers and non-smokers is to detect lung cancer and other diseases such as COPD at an early stage. To do this, it consists of the following specific tests, supervised and assessed by the specialist in Pneumology:
– Consultation and review with a specialist in Pneumology
– Forced spirometry + reversibility test
This is a test to measure lung capacity.
– Imaging test: Non-contrast low-radiation protocol chest CT scan
This is the only test that has proven to be effective for lung cancer screening, as conventional radiography is not sensitive enough to detect small tumours.
– Consultation of results
The pulmonology specialist assesses the patient’s case and the possibility of helping with smoking cessation.
The total price of the check-up is 450 euros.
Who the check-up is aimed at
The risk group at whom this check-up is aimed is as follows:
– Smokers or ex-smokers ( less than 15 years ).
– Between 50 and 80 years of age
– People aged 40 who have smoked more than one pack a day for 10 years or more.
Dr. Pasker explains: “We want to reach patients at high risk of lung cancer; these are smokers or ex-smokers who have quit smoking for the last 15 years and who have smoked 1 pack a day for 20 years or so. For example, 2 packs a day for 10 years or half a pack a day for 40 years. Also to be considered at risk are smokers or ex-smokers who are over 40 years old and who have smoked 1 pack for 10 years or more. And the risk is for both men and women”.
Lung cancer and tobacco
As highlighted by Dr. Pasker, Head of the Pneumology Service at HCB Hospitals, “if we detect lung cáncer early, the patient can receive good treatment in time, raising the cure rate to 92%. The aim of this type of screening is to detect smoking-related pathology at an early stage, before there is no chance of cure.
COPD and smoking
COPD is characterised by a difficulty in the passage of air into the bronchial tubes, with symptoms such as shortness of breath when walking or increasing activity, and coughing and expectoration increasing over the years.
For Dr Pasker, “it is important to detect it early because it is a progressive disease that cannot be cured, but there are treatments that can help control its symptoms and improve the quality of life of those who suffer from it”.
