Every year 200,000 people in the United States are told they have lung cancer; more than 150,000 die from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lung cancer accounts for about 27% of all cancer deaths and is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.
November is Officially Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Lung cancer awareness and observance began in 1995, with just one day in the year devoted to sharing updates, stories and medical advancement with the concerned public via the media, health providers and community organizations.
But as the lung cancer movement grew, so did the events and efforts to get the word out. Eventually, Lung Cancer Awareness Day evolved into a full month, which we officially observe in November.
The month of November is a call to action for anyone and everyone concerned about lung cancer to unite and raise their voice. It’s a chance for us to educate and inform the general public about the epidemic of lung cancer, and to change how we talk about this disease.
What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk
- Stop Smoking: About 90% of lung cancers are linked to smoking
- Avoid Any and All Asbestos Exposure: Tobacco and asbestos exposure doesn’t just add to risks, it multiplies risks by 50-90 times those with neither exposure
- Avoid Secondhand Smoke: Each year in the U.S., about 7,300 non-smokers die from lung cancer due to secondhand smoke. Make your home and car smoke-free
- Get Screened: When detected early, those diagnosed with lung cancer can expect a 50% survival rate, versus 4% for those who receive late-stage diagnoses. Screening is recommended for people at high risk of getting lung cancer due to their smoking history and age
- Get Your Home Tested for Radon: Much like asbestos, radon is something you don’t want to be inhaling at work or at home. A naturally occurring gas that comes from rocks and dirt, radon is actually the second leading cause of lung cancer
What You Can Do To Help
We encourage you to engage with local media and advocacy groups to communicate the importance of this month, and the need for funding and support for new research and treatment breakthroughs.
Won’t You Please Help Us Spread the Word?
Tell someone that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Share the facts about this disease Remind your friends and family that they too can play a role in helping to bring about change through education.
The Lung Cancer Alliance offers great suggestions for spreading the word this month:
- Attend an Event: With close to 200 lung cancer events taking place across the country, chances are there is one near you. Find one today!
- Get Social: Feel free to share Lung Cancer Alliance facts and images from their Facebook page.
- Contact Congress Members: There is an easy way to ask your Representative to join the Caucus. Reach out today!
- Go Shopping: Donate a percentage to the cause with purchases you’d be making anyway. Learn more at the Lung Cancer Alliance website
- Write a Letter: You can share your story and the facts about lung cancer through a letter to the editor of your local paper
There are many options for you, your family, and friends to make a difference during Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Chose the best option for you and tell a friend.