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November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know....?  The financial costs of lung cancer are high.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  estimates that it is one of the most expensive cancers in the country to treat, at over $9.6 billion. 

More people die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. Despite this frightening fact, there is hope, because it is one of the most preventable of all cancers.

Understanding Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is divided into two categories, small cell and non-small cell.

  • Small cell lung cancer generally only affects smokers, spreads more aggressively, and is much less common than non-small cell. Only about 20 percent of the U.S. population is diagnosed with this type of lung cancer.
  • Non-small cell lung cancer is typically more common and generally spreads at a slower rate than small cell cancer. About 80 percent of all lung cancer cases are non-small cell cases.

Causes and Risk Factors

Smoking is the leading risk factor for developing lung cancer, and is accountable for almost 90 percent of all lung cancer cases. A smoker’s risk for getting lung cancer is 30 times more than the risk for a non-smoker. In addition to smoking, lung cancer can be caused by several factors, including exposure to:

  • Radon
  • Radiation
  • Pollution
  • Lung disease
  • Asbestos
  • Secondhand smoke

Signs and Symptoms

If lung cancer is caught early, it can lead to a cure for some and extend the lives of others. Recognizing the symptoms of lung cancer is important. The most common symptom is a persistent cough that worsens over time. In addition, be alert for the following symptoms:

  • Constant chest pain
  • Blood-tinged spit
  • Coughing up blood
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness
  • Repeat occurrences of infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
  • Fever for no apparent reason
  • Swelling of the neck and face
  • Loss of weight due to a decrease in appetite
  • Fatigue

Prevention

Researchers continue to study the causes of lung cancer and ways to prevent it, but despite further research smoking tobacco remains the number one cause of lung cancer. The good news is that it is never too late to stop smoking! Quitting at any age can lower your chance of getting lung cancer.

Survival

The survival rate for lung cancer is becoming more optimistic. With several new drug developments and ongoing research, survival rate statistics continue to increase.

   

November 20th is the Great American Smokeout

November 20 is the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout®! This annual event, which started in 1974, encourages Americans to stop smoking and publicizes the adverse health effects of tobacco. For example:

  • By the year 2020, tobacco is expected to kill about 10 million people a year worldwide.
  • One of the ingredients in tobacco smoke is carbon monoxide.
  • Nicotine has been found in the breast milk of female smokers.
For more information on the Great American Smokeout, as well as assistance with quitting, visit www.cancer.org and search the term “Great American Smokeout”.