November is all about Lung Cancer Awareness! In my previous post I talked about how lung cancer has affected my family. People automatically assume if someone has lung cancer, that they are/were a smoker. This disease is NOT only about being a smoker and/or smoking!

In Rob Densen’s article: Lung Cancer: Let’s Get Ready To Rumble, he stated:

Why should you know about lung cancer? Precious little is said or written about it. You could call it benign neglect, except the impact is lethal. Lung cancer’s relatively low profile is compounded by large amounts of misinformation, misperception, and stereotyping. The result is that the deadliest cancer killer of all runs rampant.

I will be the first to admit that before my wife — a life-long never smoker — was diagnosed in early 2010 (FYI: women with lung cancer are twice as likely as men with the disease to have never smoked) lung cancer just wasn’t on our radar screen. Now our family can’t get it off our radar screen. And we’re determined to get it on yours, somewhere.

 

So you see, this disease can affect people you never would have imagined. There are ways to stay informed and protect yourself.

About Protection and Prevention

The American Lung Association has a list of steps to help protect yourself if you are concerned about lung cancer:

• If you are a smoker- STOP SMOKING.
  Quitting smoking is the single most important thing a smoker can do to enhance the length and quality of his or her life.  The American Lung Association has many programs to help you quit for good.
• If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
  Smoking causes lung cancer, COPD, and many other illnesses.  And consider this: When smoking is combined with another risk factor, such as radon exposure, the risk of cancer is even higher.
• Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
•  Make your home smoke-free.  You’ll not only protect yourself, but your family too. Learn about your rights to a smoke-free environment at work and in public places.
• Test your home for radon.
  You can do this with inexpensive, easy-to-use test kits sold at hardware stores.
• Be aware of industrial compounds.
  If you are exposed to dust and fumes at work, ask your health and safety advisor about how you are being protected.
• Help fight pollution.
  Work with others in your community to help clean up the air you and your family breathe.

Lung Cancer Awareness…SPREAD IT!