20th Century Medicine: lung cancer Flashcards
In what year was the first evidence linking smoking to lung cancer published?
1950
Why is lung cancer particularly deadly compared to other forms of cancer?
It is extremely difficult to diagnose in its early stages
What proportion of people with lung cancer live for a year after diagnosis?
One in three
What technology is used to detect cancer in the lungs?
A CT scan
If a CT scan shows cancer might be present in the lungs, the patient is given a bronchoscopy - what is this?
A camera on the end of a long, thin tube is passed down into the patient’s lungs to collect a sample of the cells for testing
In what year did the government ban smoking in all workplaces?
2007
In what year did the government ban smoking in cars carrying children under the age of 18?
2015
What happened to the legal age for buying tobacco in 2007?
It was raised from 16 to 18
Give FOUR ways people are discouraged from buying cigarettes
Banning advertisements for cigarettes
Making cigarettes as invisible as possible in shops
Education in schools about the dangers of smoking
Increasing taxes on tobacco products
Why is there no national screening programme for lung cancer?
The technology does not exist to pick up the earliest signs of lung cancer
How does radiotherapy work in treating lung cancer?
It aims to kill the cancer cells using beams of radiation
How does chemotherapy work in treating lung cancer?
Particularly powerful chemical medicines are used to attack the cancer cells
What is immunotherapy and how can it be used to treat lung cancer?
Boosting the immune system - it could stop the cancer cells from resisting the immune system
