NEWS

November is a time of watching the falling leaves, planning for Thanksgiving dinner and spending time with friends and family. For some families it is also a difficult time as they deal with the devastating effects of Lung Cancer.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month is not nearly as well covered as last month’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. Back in 1995 the movement started with Lung Cancer Awareness Day. Over the years that have followed the message has grown. On November 5th the Annual Shine a Light on Lung Cancer events were held nationwide for the 7th year. The events held in communities just like ours are designed to provide hope and inspiration to those who are touched by the disease.

The American Cancer Society notes that lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. It is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. While smokers have the greatest risk of developing the disease, there are also many people who have never smoked who are developing the disease each year. They make up about 20% of the deaths each year. This would rank the non-smokers who die in the top 10 fatal cancers in the U. S.

Over the past 10 years, researchers have found that there are a number of things that affect non-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer. Radon gas is one of the leading causes. The gas can be found in homes but you cannot see it or smell it. There are home test kits available so that you can test your home for the gas.

Secondhand smoke causes about 7,000 adults death each year. Agents in the workplace such as asbestos and diesel exhaust are also related to non-smoker lung cancers. Air pollution and gene mutations have also been found to provide risk factors.

Sadly most lung cancers do not cause symptoms until they have spread beyond a time when a cure is possible. Some individuals do show early warning signs. A cough that does not go away but becomes worse is a symptom. Chest pain that is often worse when taking deep breaths or when coughing or laughing. Hoarseness, weight loss and appetite loss, coughing up blood or rust-colored spit or phlegm. If you feel tired or weak and have shortness of breath. If you experience wheezing or have had infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that just keep coming back. Only a doctor can diagnose your condition.

November is also the month in which we celebrate the Great American Smokeout event on the third Thursday of the month. It is a day when smokers are asked to take part in the American Cancer Society event and make a plan to quit smoking. Many Americans stop using tobacco products and information is spread on how to go about quitting and staying off of tobacco.

Today there are about 42 million Americans who still smoke cigarettes. It is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U. S. In data collected from 2013, there were also 12.4 million cigar smokers and over 2.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes.

If you are a smoker and you quit for just one day, you take that step toward a healthier life. The American Cancer Society offers a number of resources for those who would like to participate in the Smokeout this year. You can learn more on their website at www.cancer.org/smokeout. Do it for your kids or do it for yourself. You are much too important not to make the effort to stop.

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