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Smoking continues to be the leading cause of lung cancer, a medical professional has highlighted, warning against the habit, coinciding with World Lung Cancer Day today.
Bahrain Anti-Smoking Society member and general practitioner Dr Fatima Almatrook said that according to research estimates for 2025, the percentage of adult smokers in Bahrain (above 15 years) stood at 18.1 per cent.
She encouraged smokers to stub it out as quitting smoking at any stage can cut the risk of developing the disease.
Tobacco contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including more than 70 carcinogens. These substances cause chronic genetic damage to respiratory cells, leading to cancerous changes over time.
“Lung cancer is one of the types most closely linked to behavioural factors, most notably smoking, with as high as 85pc and 90pc of cases worldwide linked to the habit, either directly or indirectly (passive smoking),” Dr Almatrook told the GDN.
Lung cancer is the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells in the lungs, which can cause severe harm and death.
The Bahrain Anti-Smoking Society was set up in 1979 and re-established in 1990 as a key organisation in the kingdom’s efforts to reduce tobacco use.
This year, global campaigns are being staged to raise awareness about the disease under the theme ‘United By Unique’, which is the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) slogan for all types of cancer from 2025 to 2027. It focuses on a people-centred approach to cancer care and emphasises that every individual’s experience with cancer is unique and that healthcare systems should be tailored to meet those unique needs. The programme also highlights the importance of compassionate care and collective action in the fight against cancer.
Most common lung cancer symptoms listed by WHO
- Cough that does not go away
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- (haemoptysis)
- Fatigue
- Weight loss with no known cause
- Lung infections that keep coming back
“In many cases, lung cancer is not detected until advanced symptoms appear or after a chest X-ray is performed for another reason,” Dr Almatrook warned.
“Many patients are diagnosed in the late stages due to delayed onset or overlooked symptoms, such as chronic cough or shortness of breath.
“Even long-time smokers may mistake their symptoms for ‘normal’ delaying early detection.
“Quitting smoking at any stage can gradually reduce the risk of developing the disease, but it does not eliminate it completely.”
American Mission Hospital head of anti-smoking clinic Dr Babu Ramachandran noted that the problems associated with lung cancer caused due to smoking are not limited to the patient but extend to the entire family and caregivers as they have to see their loved one suffer.
He recommended that when doctors learn their patient is a smoker, they must spend at least a minute or two counselling them, which could motivate them to quit as most smokers already know the dangers associated with the habit.
Bahrain’s first smoking cessation clinic was established in 2004 at the Hoora Health Centre to help tobacco users of all ages and genders, who have the desire and the full readiness to quit tobacco use, through examination, follow-up, counselling and treatment in a friendly atmosphere. More
clinics were established in the following years.
There have been several other national initiatives for the cause, the most recent being a new legislative proposal to introduce stricter regulations and raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 20 years, as previously reported in the GDN.
Another proposal to ban smoking across all public parks, walkways, gardens and coastal areas in Bahrain has also been submitted, in an effort to cut exposure to second-hand smoke and protect the health of citizens and residents. The initiative seeks to expand the scope of the 2009 Anti-Smoking Law to include all outdoor municipal recreational spaces, which are not currently covered under the existing legislation.
“Through clinical practice, we note that there are rare cases of lung cancer among non-smokers, especially those exposed for long periods to second-hand smoke or air pollutants,” Dr Almatrook added.
Those who need help or wish to contact the Smoking Cessation clinic can contact the Hoora Health Centre on 17318888 or the hotline on 66399855.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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