COPD more lethal to women than breast cancer in some cases
Tobacco use, and occupational exposure contribute to chronic lung condition
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada, but it's an even greater threat in northwestern Ontario says a respiratory therapist in Thunder Bay.
"Air is fundamental to life, and anyone with a lung disease will tell you every single breath counts. But for those living with a lung disease, they'll tell you that even the simple task of breathing can be a challenge - every minute, every hour and every day," said Shelley Prevost, who works in pulmonary rehabilitation with St. Joseph's Care Group in the city.
The number one contributing factor for COPD is tobacco use, which remains high in northwestern Ontario, but the disease is also linked to certain occupational exposures, she said.
"Dust that you would find in a mine, it could be chemicals, sulphuric acid, chemicals that you might see in a mill, grain dust, some of the industries that we have in northwestern Ontario contribute as a risk factor to developing COPD," said Prevost.
Although the disease affects 64 million people around the world, fewer than 50 per cent of Canadians have ever heard of the condition, she said, adding that between 97 and 99 per cent of Canadians are familiar with Alzheimers, HIV-AIDS and breast cancer.
Raising awareness among women is becoming increasingly important said Prevost.
"Women get COPD at a younger age, they get it more severe than men do and when you compare COPD in women with breast cancer, more women with COPD will pass away from COPD than they will from breast cancer and that's a trend we've seen since 2009," she said.
COPD is expected to become the third leading cause of death in Canada by 2020, but it remains underdiagnosed, underfunded and under-researched, said Prevost.