November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month! Therefore, it’s a time to connect with community, raise awareness for the cause and come together as one united force to stand up to the leading cancer killer. Everyone can take a part and make a difference this November, and we will explain some simple ways to take action!
Lung Cancer Awareness
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Most lung cancers do not cause any symptoms until they have spread too far to be cured. However, symptoms do occur in some people with early lung cancer. If you contact Brashear Family Medical when you first notice symptoms, your cancer might receive early diagnosis, when treatment is more likely to be effective. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:
- A cough that does not go away or gets worse
- Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
- Hoarseness
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or weak
- Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back
- New onset of wheezing
Risk Factors for Lung Cancer
Several risk factors can make you more likely to develop lung cancer, including the following:
- smoking
- exposure to the radioactive gases Radon and Uranium
- exposure to asbestos (in some mines, mills, textile plants, places where insulation is common, shipyards, etc.)
Importance of Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer-related death in America. However, this screening can detect lung cancer early, when it is more likely to be curable. Catching the disease before it spreads means the likelihood of surviving 5 years improves from 11 percent to 55 percent.
A low-dose CT scan is a special kind of X-ray, which takes multiple pictures as you lie on a table that slides in and out of a machine. The computer then combines these images into a detailed picture of your lungs.
Studies have shown that when it comes to early detection of lung cancer, only the low-dose CT scan can reduce mortality for those at high risk. If you are a current or former smoker over the age of 55, you could be at risk.
How to Get Involved in Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Share on Social Media
You can easily change your profile picture on Facebook to raise awareness for lung cancer. Click here and search “lung cancer alliance” to add one of the lung cancer awareness frames to your profile picture.
In addition, you can use the hashtag, #LCAM, in your posts to contribute to the conversation online.
Attend or Volunteer at a Lung Cancer Awareness Event Near You
LUNGevity has the nation’s largest network of local events for lung cancer fundraising and awareness. Family, friends and advocates join thousands of individuals living with lung cancer each year to walk, run and volunteer to raise money and awareness for lifesaving research, education, support and services.
Click here to find a LUNGevity event near you.
Spotlight Your Story
November is the month to tell your Lung Cancer Awareness story. You can post your lung cancer story on social media, or you can send it to lungcanceralliance.org to be featured as a Survivor Spotlight.
Donate
If you’re not savvy on social media, you can still take part in raising awareness for lung cancer by donating!
A monetary donation is one of the easiest and quickest ways to support the lung cancer community. You can donate in honor of a loved one to let them know you are thinking of them.
For more information about lung cancer or schedule an appointment with Brashear Family Medical, contact us with the link below!