Lung cancer may be mistaken for COVID-19

Organizations and experts in the UK are concerned that many people may mistake lung cancer for COVID-19, because of similar symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath and drowsiness.

Passengers wearing masks on public transport in Manchester, UK - Photo: REUTERS

According to the Cancer Research UK (CRUK), about 47,800 people in the UK are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. However, during the COVID-19 epidemic blockade, the number of patients seeing a specialist decreased, only 60% at the end of August 2020 compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, according to The Guardian.

"Perhaps the advice at home and social isolation for persistent coughing symptoms has led many people to delay going to the hospital," CRUK warns.

"The number of lung cancer cases detected early has decreased, with more advanced cases than before," said Dr. David Gilligan, cancer clinical advisor at Cambridge, commissioner of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

According to CRUK, 88% of patients diagnosed in the early stages of cancer have a life expectancy of at least a year, compared with just 19% of those in the terminal stage. Therefore, an early diagnosis is essential.

Many cancer organizations such as CRUK and Roy Castle have launched campaigns to disseminate information about lung cancer symptoms and encourage people to contact doctors when there are concerns about the disease.

According to the latest statistics, as of 7am October 21, the world has recorded more than 41 million cases of COVID-19, of which more than 1.1 million deaths and 30.6 million recovery cases.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ung-thu-phoi-co-the-bi-nham-thanh-covid-19-20201020155840374.htm