The numbers are alarming. Causing 1.8 million deaths globally, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer both worldwide and within the Philippines. But here’s the thing — lung cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. So why does this disease still claim so many lives?

The harsh reality

Lung cancer is not just the leading cause of cancer mortality in the Philippines but also the second most prevalent cancer (the first being breast cancer). In 2022, there were over 23,700 new cases of lung cancer documented in the Philippines, with 20,953 deaths resulting from the disease.

Though the numbers may look bleak at first glance, lung cancer isn’t an automatic death sentence. The earlier the disease gets diagnosed, the better the survival rate. Stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have a survival rate as high as 92%. Sadly, 60% of Filipino patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. And among these patients diagnosed in the late stages, only 2.9% have a five-year survival rate. Clearly, early detection is essential when it comes to fighting lung cancer.

How the medical community is using AI to fight lung cancer

Global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca recently partnered with AC Health and Qure.AI to bring an AI-powered solution for early lung cancer screening to the Philippines.

Called qXR, this tool helps doctors detect early signs of lung cancer using just a simple chest X-ray. In just 20 seconds, qXR can flag abnormalities that might not be visible to the human eye, prompting doctors to recommend patients for more comprehensive screenings, such as the low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan. qXR can also be used on heart, diaphragm, and bone X-rays.

An ambitious goal

These partnerships and innovations are part of AstraZeneca’s strategy to keep its promise of screening at least 1 million Filipino patients by 2026. It’s an ambitious goal, but AstraZeneca has already made huge strides towards it. To date, they have conducted over 405,000 scans.

And as one of the founding members of the Lung Ambition Alliance, AstraZeneca has an even bigger goal: to one day eliminate lung cancer as a cause of death.

“As an alliance, we stand together to better understand how lung cancer evolves, develop advanced therapeutic techniques, drive progress in the clinical management of the disease and ultimately empower and enable patients so they can live longer and better lives,” explained Ti Hwei How, Vice President, International Oncology and Market Access at AstraZeneca.

“Do not be afraid to go for early screening and diagnosis because it’s better that you know, early and then you get the solution early,” says Lotis Ramin, AstraZeneca Philippines Country President. “That helps you live longer rather than not knowing and delaying it and therefore lessening your chance for better survival.”

8 Things YOU can do to fight lung cancer

Every Filipino can join the fight against lung cancer. Here are eight ways you can do just that:

1. Don’t smoke or use tobacco products. This is the number one risk factor for developing lung cancer. If you are a smoker, take steps to quit immediately.
2. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, asbestos, radon, and other harmful substances.
3. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. A healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing lung cancer.
4. Get regular check-ups with your doctor and discuss any symptoms or concerns you have about lung cancer.
5. Educate yourself and others about the signs, symptoms, and risks of lung cancer.
6. Support organizations that are working towards finding a cure for lung cancer and providing support for patients.
7. Break the stigma surrounding lung cancer. It’s not just a smoker’s disease, and anyone can develop it.
8. Spread awareness about early detection and the importance of getting screened for lung cancer.

Together, we can make a difference in the fight against lung cancer.

What steps are you taking to care of your lung health?