Two oncologists from Le Mans have just launched Smokecheck, a mobile application which, in 13 questions, makes it possible to identify the symptoms of possible lung cancer as quickly as possible.
“Are you short of breath?”, “Have you lost weight recently?”, “Have you been coughing for three weeks?” or “Do you feel pain in one shoulder?”.
Here are four of the questions that make up the Smocheck questionnaire. Developed by pulmonologist François Goupil and oncologist Fabrice Denis, both practicing at the University Hospital of Le Mans (Sarthe), this Smartphone app aims to help the general public to detect in a few minutes and as soon as possible the signs of a possible cancer of the lung.
50,000 new cancers each year
“We pulmonologists see cancers at advanced stages when the symptoms had started a few months earlier. If we had been able to take care of these patients earlier, the prognosis could have been changed”, explains to France Blue Dr Francois Goupil.
According to a report by the National Cancer Institute (INCa) published last year, 49,109 new cases of lung cancer were estimated in 2017, including 32,260 men. The first signs of lung cancer are usually persistent coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing while breathing, or even coughing up blood. Abnormal and persistent fatigue should also alert. It is these clinical symptoms that are targeted by the 13 questions found on Smokecheck, developed by medical specialists.
Encourage patients to consult
Launched last year, Smokecheck has since been enriched with a novelty: now, users of the app have the possibility of contacting the nurse coordinator of the respiratory diseases department of Le Mans hospital to carry out additional examinations. .
As Dr. Goupil reminds us, the key is to move quickly once the first signs are detected, especially when you are a smoker. “Because of their addiction to tobacco, smokers are often in denial or in guilt. Result: many people consult too late. We, pulmonologists, see cancers at advanced stages when the symptoms had started a few months before. If we had been able to take care of these patients earlier, the prognosis could have been changed. We could have avoided an operation or chemotherapy.” According to him, 80% of lung cancers are now detected too late and therefore incurable.
Lung cancer develops in the bronchus by multiplication of certain cells of the epithelium in a particular place. These abnormal cells will then proliferate in an anarchic manner: they may obstruct the bronchus, invade neighboring structures and send cancerous cells into the lymph nodes of the thorax.
Smoking, even passive, but also exposure to radioactivity, certain substances (asbestos, chromium, nickel, radon, etc.) as well as atmospheric pollution can cause lung cancer. This is also the case for certain chronic diseases of the bronchi and lungs, as well as genetic predispositions.
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