On the occasion of World Cancer Day, the Auvergne Regional Committee against respiratory diseases is organizing a screening day for obstructive ventilatory disorders, by carrying out a breath measurement test to assess respiratory capacity. Update on a chronic respiratory disease, COPD with Jean Perriot, pulmonologist and member of the Committee against respiratory diseases in Auvergne.
How are these tests carried out?
This is the exploration of the respiratory function using spirometry devices measuring the flow rate and the pulmonary expiratory volume. By simply blowing into this device, the Tiffeneau index is obtained. Possible obstructive ventilatory disorders can thus be detected. Either asthma or COPD.
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by slow and usually progressive inflammation and obstruction of the bronchial tubes. You can be affected by it without knowing it.
It must be detected early because it progresses slowly, sometimes silently, and causes irreversible damage to the lungs, up to respiratory failure, becoming disabling.
Is it frequent?
It is an exponentially increasing disease! Five million people affected in France. Two-thirds of people suffer from COPD without knowing it.
According to the WHO, World Health Organization, it was the 8th cause of death in the early 2000s in the world, it has now become the 4th cause.
What are the causes of this disease?
In more than 80% of cases, the cause of COPD is smoking. There are also vulnerability factors (such as genetics); exposure to industrial, agricultural, climatic pollution, etc.
The latest cancer data in Auvergne show disparities between the departments
Who is this screening for?
For everyone. But knowing that 8 out of 10 COPD are directly linked to tobacco, and that a strong dependence on nicotine constitutes an increased risk, we understand the need for breath screening when you are a smoker. It is recommended from the age of 40 for people who have been smoking for more than ten years. A fortiori in those who cough and spit in the morning, or cough on exertion. And this every two years.
If you test positive, what should you do?
The treatments are very codified according to the respiratory embarrassment, the outbreaks of bronchitis… Treatments against the inflammation of the bronchi; smoking cessation; infection prevention (flu, etc.); vaccination against Covid-19, practice of a physical activity…
The health prevention day will take place on Monday, January 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Saint-Jacques neighborhood center, 17 rue Baudelaire in Clermont-Ferrand. No registrations. Report to the neighborhood hall.
Michele Gardette