A cough or hoarseness that won't go away? Warning signs of lung cancer
On World Lung Cancer Day, experts at Ziv Medical Center highlight the dangers of this disease. Despite medical advancements, mortality remains high due to late-stage diagnosis.
On the occasion of World Lung Cancer Day, experts at the Ziv Medical Center are raising awareness about one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Despite significant progress in treatment, mortality rates remain high, primarily because most patients are diagnosed only when the disease has reached an advanced stage.
Global data shows that approximately 2.2 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer annually, with about 1.8 million deaths—surpassing the combined mortality of breast, colon, and prostate cancers. In Israel, between 2,500 and 3,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, with an overall survival rate of approximately 20%–25%.
Why is the disease discovered late?
Dr. Ihab Ashkar, a lung disease specialist at Ziv Medical Center, explains that the disease often lacks early symptoms. "Bronchi and deep lung tissue rarely transmit pain, allowing tumors to develop for a long time without triggering suspicion," he notes. Roughly 70% of patients are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed, complicating treatment and reducing recovery prospects.
Symptoms requiring medical attention
Experts emphasize that the appearance of any of the following symptoms warrants a doctor's visit:
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A new, persistent cough or a change in a chronic cough
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Coughing up blood
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Shortness of breath or new wheezing
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Chest, back, or shoulder pain, especially during deep breathing
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Prolonged hoarseness
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Unexplained weight loss, unusual fatigue, or loss of appetite
Risk factors beyond smoking
While smoking is the primary risk factor, it is not the only one. Passive smoking, air pollution, radon gas, asbestos, heavy metals, and ionizing radiation also increase risk. Notably, 15%–20% of diagnosed patients are non-smokers; in these cases, tumors are often linked to genetic mutations, which now allow for targeted therapies.
Life-saving screening
Early detection is the most effective way to reduce mortality. Heavy smokers and former smokers aged 50–80 who meet health basket criteria are eligible for a low-dose chest CT scan. Ziv Medical Center has announced that a new screening program for eligible patients will launch in September 2026.
A revolution in treatment
Dr. Moataz Safadi, head of the lung cancer department at Ziv Medical Center, states that treatment has undergone a revolution. Patients are managed by a multidisciplinary team including oncologists, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists. Treatment plans are highly personalized, potentially involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted biological therapies. When detected early, a cure is achievable in many cases.
