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Primary bronchopulmonary cancer (PBC) is a worldwide scourge. It is one of the main causes of cancer mortality in both men and women. Its incidence in women is clearly increasing in parallel with the increase in smoking, which is the main risk factor. However, the low proportion of women who smoke underlines the contribution of other factors including a stronger genetic susceptibility, hormonal factors, passive smoking, exposure to domestic fumes (coal, cooking oil ...). Thus, in view of the poor prognosis of PBC and the absence of effective means of early detection, the prevention of PBC must be a public health priority by insisting on the fight against its risk factors, in particular the fight against smoking. A better understanding of the mechanisms of action and the relative importance of each factor in determining risk could open up new therapeutic perspectives including new targeted therapies and immunotherapy to improve prognosis.
About the author
Hanène Smadhi, Doctor of Medicine, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis (FMT), University of Tunis ElManar; Specialist in pneumology. University hospital assistant at the FMT and at the Abderrahman Mami-Ariana Hospital. My areas of expertise include thoracic oncology, tobaccoology, allergology and sleep pathology.
