Oncology specialists, lung cancer associations, and patients with this disease have called for a greater consideration of gender perspective when addressing this type of tumor. Incidence and mortality rates are rising in women, and the impact of lung cancer can vary depending on gender in terms of response, toxicity, and prognosis.
«We are concerned about the increase in incidence in women, as there are biological and hormonal factors that could influence differently in this gender. However, it has been poorly researched to date, with the percentage of women in clinical trials still lower than it should be,» said Enriqueta Felip Font, Head of the Medical Oncology Section at Vall d’Hebrón University Hospital (Barcelona).
Font explained that although it is not clear if smoking habits pose the same risk in men and women, it is known that lung cancer in non-smokers is more common in women. Additionally, treatment toxicity is higher in women, warranting a more intense follow-up. Font also noted that the first European lung cancer screening program only included men.
The President of the Spanish Lung Cancer Patients Association, Bernard Gaspar, emphasized the importance of discussing lung cancer and gender perspective as a significant advancement. Integrating this perspective into research is crucial for identifying causes and finding solutions.
Gaspar highlighted the need to understand how small cell lung cancer affects women, stressing the importance of early detection for prevention and prompt diagnosis.
PharmaMar’s President, José María Fernández-Sousa Faro, pointed out the alarming increase in lung cancer cases, primarily linked to smoking, making it more deadly than breast cancer in the Madrid region.
Rosario García Campelo, Head of the Medical Oncology Service at A Coruña University Hospital, noted the changing patient demographics in lung cancer waiting rooms over the past 25 years. Previously dominated by men over 50 with multiple comorbidities, now half of the patients are women diagnosed at earlier stages of life, leading to better prognoses.
Campelo highlighted how symptoms like persistent cough, fatigue, or weight loss can be overlooked or attributed to less severe causes, delaying diagnosis. Women tend to delay medical consultations due to social and family obligations, prioritizing others’ care over their health, complicating early diagnosis and negatively impacting prognosis.
Campelo also emphasized the need to address not only the disease symptoms but also other aspects of treatment at a mental, social, or occupational level, pointing out that sexuality remains a taboo topic in consultations.
BIRTH OF THE CLARISSE PROJECT
Dr. Dolores Isla, President of the Association for Lung Cancer Research in Women (ICAPEM) and Head of Medical Oncology at Lozano Blesa Hospital in Zaragoza, presented the Clarisse project. This initiative aims to identify gender differences in the incidence, diagnosis, and access to treatments for small cell lung cancer in Spain.
The project will conduct a five-year retrospective study involving detailed information on 2,000 female lung cancer patients with small cell cancer to gather specific data for early detection.
The initial phase of the study will begin in hospitals in Aragon, Andalusia, Catalonia, the Canary Islands, Galicia, and Madrid. The subsequent phase will include other autonomous communities and will be led by Dr. Pilar Garrido, Head of the Medical Oncology Service at Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid.
Dr. Garrido highlighted the importance of understanding the evolution of small cell lung cancer in Spain over recent years. Detecting gender-based differences in diagnosis timing or treatment outcomes is crucial for identifying areas of improvement in care and research to offer better patient attention.
Ana Sáez Lozano, a member of the Spanish Lung Cancer Patients Association (AEACaP) and a patient, emphasized the lack of visibility for women affected by the disease, calling for more awareness and research investment to address lung cancer, which is often fatal.
Lozano stressed the need to eliminate the stigma associated with the disease, which often blames patients for smoking. She noted that non-smokers also suffer from lung cancer, highlighting the emotional challenges caused by the disease and treatment.