Huge lung cancer rise in Greece
Smoking is the main cause of an increase in recorded incidences of lung cancer in Greece, where up to 6,000 sufferers die every year, according to research by the European Pneumonological Society. It was made public yesterday ahead of a conference on «Lungs and the Environment» starting in Athens on Friday. «There has been a 50 percent increase over the last 30 years, and this reflects the spread of the disease to the female population,» Professor Panayiotis Behrakis said. Another 20 percent is attributed to atmospheric pollution, Greeks are diagnosed with lung cancer at a higher rate than their European counterparts, with 3 percent more cases recorded every year. Greek women more vulnerable than European women and Greek men under 44 more likely targets than other European men of the same age. Greek men and women are younger – between 40 and 45 – when they contract lung cancer.
