Morbidity and premature death from cancer results in healthcare spending and lost productivity. The economic burden of
cancer is substantial in all countries and this can be reduced by prevention, early detection and innovating more
cost-effective and effective cancer treatments. In US 2017 estimated cancer healthcare cost was approximately US$161.2
billion similarly in EU, the estimated cancer healthcare was Euro 57.3 billion
Lung cancer is the most common malignancy and the leading cause of cancer death globally. Lung cancer incidence and
mortality are highest among socioeconomically deprived individuals. There were 2 million new cases in 2018 and lung
cancer is the most common cancer occurring in men and third most commonly occurring cancer in women.
The leading preventable cause of cancer worldwide is the use of tobacco. It is estimated that 1.3 billion people use
tobacco products worldwide and most of them smoke cigarettes. Several other uses of tobacco products include pipes,
cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco.
Other established causes of lung cancer are environmental exposures to environmental carcinogens such as asbestos,
crystalline silica, radon, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
A history of previous lung disease such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchitis, and emphysema are associated with an
increased risk of lung cancer.
According to the world cancer research fund report on diet nutrition, physical activity and lung cancer published in
2017 and revised in 2018:
Findings on lung cancer
There is strong evidence that:Drinking water containing arsenic INCREASES the risk of lung cancerIn current and former smokers, taking high-dose beta-carotene supplements INCREASES the risk of lung cancer
There is some evidence thatConsuming red meat, processed meat and alcoholic drinks might increase the risk of lung cancerIn current smokers and former smokers, consuming vegetables and fruit might decrease the risk of lung cancerConsuming foods containing retinol, beta-carotene or carotenoids might decrease the risk of lung cancerIn current smokers, consuming foods containing vitamin C might decrease the risk of lung cancerIn people who have never smoked, consuming foods containing isoflavones (constituent of plants with oestrogen-like
properties) might decrease the risk of lung cancerBeing physically active might decrease the risk of lung cancer
Cancer prevention recommendationsBe a healthy weightBe physically activeEat a rich diet in wholegrains, vegetables, fruits, and beansLimit consumptions of processed foods high in fat, starches, and sugarsLimit consumption of red and processed meatLimit consumptions of sugary drinksLimit consumption of alcoholNot smoking and avoiding exposure to tobacco and excess sun are also important in reducing cancer risk
About Koru Lifescience
Koru Life science, drug discovery, and advanced formulation research laboratory in Auckland, New Zealand. Koru's drug
research program is about rational drug discovery, focusing on practical and less toxic therapeutics compounds using
polypharmacology as an approach; Koru is actively working on several targets. This approach has a significant impact on
saving the cost of development, offers therapy for unmet medical needs, and lowers overall healthcare costs.
Writer: Joti Jain
Chairman Koru Lifescience