The GP also provides support through the phases of specialist treatment and has an important part to play in the management of patients with advanced disease, including the in-home palliative care of the dying patient. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in Australia. While it used to be identified as a male-dominated disease, this is changing with changes in smoking patterns. Both tobacco use and lung cancer incidence are increasing in Australian women aged 25-44 and, in one state at least, now exceed levels seen in men of the same age. Prevention Prevention is the only answer.
Lung cancer continues to kill, despite modern therapies.
GP health promotion targeting smoking should be unrelenting and multifaceted. Advice, literature, encouragement and support should be offered to all young people in an attempt to prevent them developing the smoking habit. Smokers should also be targeted. Those who are receptive and hoping to quit should be given encouragement. For those who are quitting, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and nicotine patches can all be helpful while they are going through nicotine withdrawal.