World Lung Cancer Day Commemorated

World Lung Cancer Day Commemorated
The first World Lung Cancer Day commemorated at the program being held today August 1,2024 at Elily Hotel. This event was organized by Ethiopian Thoracic Society , in collaboration with MWECS and the Ministry of Health (MoH), it is part of the Multinational Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Control Project supported by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF).

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This year’s celebration will include a Research Dissemination workshop for the scientific community and policymakers, featuring study findings on lung cancer, including initial results from the MLCCP project.

Press release of the day was given jointly by officials of MoH,MWECS and ETS.
Mr. Wondu Bekele, Chief Executive Director of MWECS explained how MWECS at present implementing nine projects of which 3 are focusing on lung cancer,3 on tobacco,1 on PEN-Plus and 1 on Food Policy. According to him the MLCCP project supported by BMSF and being implemented here in Ethiopia with leadership and collaboration of Moh, regional health bureaus and with 5 implementing partners 3 local and 2 international NGOs MWECS being the lead implementer registered significant results and the second 2 years project started last January 1,2024 .Mr. Wondu Bekele stressed the significance of the project and 2 other projects on lung cancer helped them to modernize lung cancer screening and treatment in Oromia, Amhara , Afar regions and Addis Ababa city. He also recalled that efforts have been made to modernize the lung cancer treatment unit at the Black Lion Specialized Hospital.

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Dr. Kunuz Abdalla, representative of the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, who opened program jointly organized by the Ethiopian Thoracic Society and Mathiwos Wondu – Ye Ethiopian Cancer Society, said lung cancer is now affecting more people in our country. He added that the Ministry of Health and partners will continue to strengthen its work with partners as it has demonstrated changes in the recently launched Lung cancer program. He noted that the support of the Thoracic Society and Mathiwos Wondu – YeEthiopian Cancer Society is encouraged to generate policy and formulate meaningful strategies to prevent lung cancer.

Dr. Rachel Argaw , president of the Ethiopian Thoracic Society, said that while coordinating International Lung Cancer Day, more than 80 percent of Ethiopian lung cancer patients present themselves very late, making it difficult to cure. She said it was important to collaborate as raising community awareness could help prevent lung cancer and develop the habit of going to treatment sooner.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Lung cancer is a kind of cancer that starts in the lungs. People who smoke have the greatest risk of lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer increases with the length of time and number of cigarettes smoked. Quitting smoking, will significantly lower the chances of developing lung cancer. A number of other factors may also increase the risk of lung cancer.