Download November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month Lung cancer

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women (not counting skin
cancer), and is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. However,
most lung cancers can be prevented, as they are related to smoking (or secondhand smoke), or
less often to radon and other environmental factors.
This month your Health Department is urging you to become informed about your risk for lung
cancer and the methods of screening used to detect it.
Risk
Please remember that your risk for lung cancer is specific to you. Here are some factors that
might put you at risk for lung cancer:
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A history of smoking
Exposure to radon or asbestos
A history of lung cancer in your immediate family
Exposure to Agent Orange or other cancer causing materials
A diagnosis of other respiratory diseases Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases
(COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis or pneumonia
Contact with secondhand smoke
Can lung cancer be prevented?
Not all lung cancers can be prevented, but there are some ways you can reduce your risk. The
best way to reduce your risk of lung cancer is not to smoke and to avoid breathing in other
people’s smoke.
How do you screen or check for Lung cancer?
Low dose Cat Scans (LDCT) are the only proven method.
Who should be screened for Lung Cancer?
You should be screened for lung cancer if you are between 55-80, have at least a 30 pack/year*
smoking history and currently smoke or quit within 15 years.
Information taken from: American Cancer Society
Lung Cancer Alliance
If you want to stop smoking and need help, please contact your Certified Health Education
Specialist, Michael J. Hodges at [email protected] or 973.680.4183
* How to calculate your pack years:
Average number of packs smoked per day X number of years as a smoker = your pack years
(Example: 1 pack a day for 20 years = 20 pack years)