November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer can be caused by many things including smoking, and exposure to toxins such as radon gas, asbestos, and arsenic. But around 85% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking. The longer a person smokes and the more often they smoke, the higher the risk. Secondhand smoke is also thought to increase a person’s chances of getting lung cancer. More people die of lung cancer every year than of breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and pancreas cancer combined.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month was started as a way to bring awareness of this deadly disease and the risk factors involved to the world. By having a month every year devoted to activities surrounding this disease, media attention is gained, the word is spread,and people react. With the majority of lung cancer deaths caused by smoking, it is essential that the dangers of smoking be a large focus during awareness month. It is essential to emphasize that prevention in the form of smoking cessation or never smoking at all is the best way to beat this disease.

Some activities you may want to consider when planning a Lung Cancer Awareness Month in your community include fun runs and walks, dances, fundraisers, literature distribution, radio or television interviews, hanging posters in clinics, hospitals, and community centers, and wearing lung cancer awareness bracelets or other accessories or clothing items.

Lung Cancer touches people from all walks of life. It doesn’t discriminate and it can be devastating to families. Help raise attention to this cause in November by planning or participating in Lung Cancer Awareness activities.

Be sure to buy one of our Lung Cancer Awareness Bracelets and support Lung Cancer Awareness Month.