November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month – Here are Some Facts:
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death
- Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women
- More people die each year from lung cancer than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined
- Smoking is the # 1 Risk for Lung Cancer (80%–90% of lung cancers are attributed to cigarette smoking!)
- Non-smokers can get lung cancer too!
Risk Factors for Lung Cancer –
- Smoking Cigarettes
- Second Hand-Smoke
- Radon (2nd leading cause of lung cancer.)
- Other Chemicals (asbestos, arsenic, diesel, exhaust, nickel, tar, soot, some forms of silica and chromium.)
- Personal or Family History of Lung Cancer
- HIV infection
- Radiation Therapy to the Chest
- Beta-carotene supplements.
- Arsenic in drinking water (primarily from private wells) can increase the risk of lung cancer. For more information, visit the EPA’s Arsenic in Drinking Water.
How to Prevent Lung Cancer – For information visit Lung Cancer Prevention.
Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Saves Lives!
Here is a Cancer Survivor’s Story – http://www.lungcancer.org/find_support/stories/23
Free Lung Cancer CT Screening – At Lahey Burlington and Peabody. Call 855.CT.CHEST to find out if you qualify or log onto = http://www.lahey.org/lungscreening/
Sources of Information and to Find Out More –
- American Cancer Society – http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/specialcoverage/how-acs-fights-lung-cancer
- American Lung Association – http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/
- Center for Disease Control – http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/risk_factors.htm
- NIH National Cancer Institute – http://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/patient/lung-prevention-pdq#link/_AboutThis_13_toc
Do You Smoke Cigarettes …? NOW is the Time to STOP!!
Talk to you doctor about risks of lung cancer, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.