New Delhi: People with lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma may face delays in attaining a lung cancer diagnosis, according to a recent study.
Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) study analysed hospital and general practitioner data from 11,870 lung cancer patients in England who were diagnosed between 1990 and 2019.
According to a study conducted by Dr Imogen Roger of the BSMS, patients with “alternative explanations” for lung cancer symptoms had considerable diagnostic delays. Patients with one illness, such as COPD or asthma, were detected 31 days later, whereas those with two or more conditions faced an even greater wait, 74 days on average.
The study also revealed that once age, gender, and smoking history were taken into consideration, conditions like diabetes or arthritis, which put “competing demands” on a general practitioner’s time, had no significant effect on the time to lung cancer diagnosis.
COPD was found to cause the greatest delay in the detection of lung cancer; patients with the illness were diagnosed 59 days later than those without it.
The study underlines the importance of updating clinical recommendations, particularly for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the study, COPD can disguise early indicators of lung cancer, delaying diagnosis and treatment. The study team emphasises the importance of raising awareness among healthcare personnel to reduce diagnostic turnaround times and improve patient outcomes.
This study emphasises the importance of vigilance in individuals with chronic respiratory problems. It is critical to recognise that lung cancer symptoms can be misdiagnosed as COPD to speed up detection and treatment.
The study is a beacon of hope, aiming to significantly improve the early detection and treatment of lung cancer in people with COPD by changing clinical standards and promoting awareness, leading to better health outcomes.
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–IANS
