Lung Cancer In Asia
Specialist Treatment for All Stages of Lung Cancer in Singapore
How Lung Cancer Develops
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women worldwide, with almost 1 in 5 deaths attributable to it. With the current high and ever-increasing rate of smoking in many countries, the incidence of lung cancer and consequent deaths from this disease is predicted to rise in the coming decades.
In Singapore specifically, lung cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women. In addition, lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer deaths in men. The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with the latter being the most common type.
NSCLC is associated with a good prognosis if diagnosed at an early stage, where surgery is most effective. Lung cancer first develops in the lungs where abnormal cells grow out of control. The cancer cells can affect any part of the respiratory system and then spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body in advanced stages.
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:
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A persistent cough (lasting more than 2 or 3 weeks) or a long-standing cough that gets worse.
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Persistent breathlessness.
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Coughing up blood.
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Chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing.
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Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.
Unfortunately, compared to other cancers, the mortality rate of lung cancer is high. This is because only around 15% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage which allows for curative treatment.
Diagnosis Of Lung Cancer
While some lung cancers can be found by screening, most lung cancers are found only when they are causing problems. Unfortunately, the majority of cases are found only when cancer has spread which can make it difficult to treat.
That’s why screening is so important to look for cancer in people who do not present symptoms. Lung cancer is often diagnosed through a series of imaging tests such as a chest x-ray that can help reveal any abnormal lumps or masses. A low-dose CT scan is the recommended screening test for lung cancer that can reveal small lesions in your lungs that might not be detected on an x-ray.
Depending on your symptoms, risk factors and medical history, a doctor may conduct a series of physical examinations, imaging tests including a chest x-ray or low-dose CT scan and biopsies to accurately detect and diagnose lung cancer.
Don’t Put Your Health On Hold
Over the last decade, there have been significant advances in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. There is now a variety of drugs available on the market that has been demonstrated to improve survival when administered as first-line, second-line or combination therapies. Depending on whether you are diagnosed with early-stage or advanced-stage cancer, the doctor may recommend a treatment plan that includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Ultimately, the goal of lung cancer screening is to detect lung cancer at its first stage when it's more likely to be cured. At International Cancer Specialists (ICS), we relentlessly strive to provide our patients compassionate, competent and cost-effective care for lung cancer treatments in Singapore.
Led by qualified and experienced oncology clinicians and healthcare managers, as well as a multidisciplinary team of medical specialist partners (all of whom are the UK or/and US Board-Certified), we are ready to deliver cutting-edge patient-centred care in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
The price range for cancer treatment options will vary depending on the condition, the length of treatment and how complex the procedure is. We believe in price transparency, get in touch with us to find out more about your treatment plan and costs today.
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