Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. and worldwide death rates are increasing. 

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 220,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, and more than 154,000 will die from it.

This section is about lung cancer month. It provides information about what causes lung cancer, how to detect it early on, and how to prevent it from happening in the future.

To raise awareness of lung cancer  for this deadly disease and promote prevention methods, Lung Cancer Awareness Month is observed every November in the United States by many organizations such as the American Lung Association (ALA).

In 2017, over 220 million people died from lung cancer worldwide, according to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Observatory data. 

The WHO also reported that more than half of these deaths occurred in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.

What Month is Lung Cancer Awareness?

When is lung cancer awareness month? November is awareness month.

Smoking is the main reason behind developing of a lung cancer. 

Other causes include;

-exposure to asbestos

-radon

-air pollution

-secondhand smoking

It is estimated that about 85% of all lung cancer deaths are related to smoking.

Smoking also causes other types of cancers, such as throat, mouth, and stomach cancers.

The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the period over which they are smoked.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month Facts

Lung Cancer Symptoms

Lung cancer has become the most prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths in the USA. A disease can be difficult to detect in its early stages. 

It is one of the most common cancers in both men and women. Lung cancer can be found early by looking for symptoms, so it is important to know what these are.

Early detection is crucial for successful treatment.

The following are the symptoms of lung cancer are as below.

-A cough that does not go away or gets worse over time

-A feeling of tightness or constant pain in the chest

-trouble breathing, or shortness of breath

-unexplained weight loss

-feeling unusually tired or weak

-hoarseness or voice changes

-coughing up blood or sputum

-hoarseness or voice change

-wheezing or whistling sound when breathing

Lung Cancer Prevention

The lung cancer symbol of this month is white color: lung cancer ribbons.

Lung cancer can develop in the airways or in the lung parenchyma. It can spread to the lungs as metastasis from another cancer elsewhere in the body. 

It is often very difficult to detect lung cancer early on. This is because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

Lung cancer can cause death as it spreads to other parts of the body, including the brain and bones. (Lung cancer flyers)

Even though lung cancer can occur in both smokers and non-smokers, the key to prevent lung cancer is quit smoking.

The following statistics show how much lung cancer can be prevented by quitting smoking:

- In the first year after quitting, a person’s risk of dying from lung cancer falls by 50%.

- After 10 years, their risk falls to that of a non-smoker.

- After 20 years, their risk is the same as that of someone who has never smoked.

In this November month of awareness, cut down your smoking and save your lungs!