Ben Kelly, Freshman
The month of November is recognized annually as Lung Cancer Awareness Month; its purpose is to recognize and spread awareness about those affected and impacted by cancer in the lungs. Lung cancer is a common and infamous cancer, and like all cancers, lung cancer can change someone's life and put them at serious risk. November is a time to spread awareness and research for this disease, as it is very serious.
November 2020 brings a new Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time to spread awareness for lung cancer, a common form of cancer, as well as its patients and survivors. Cancer patients are at a greater risk than normal, as 2020's pandemic has been shown to target those with weaker immune systems. With COVID-19 being a respiratory disease, individuals with lung cancer should be taken into consideration even more now than before.
Cancer itself is a common and dangerous disease involving rapid spread and division of abnormal and mutated cells in the body. Cancer can affect practically anyone and has many causes including smoking, high-fat diets, genetic disorders, inheritance, and exposure to radiations, pesticides, and chemicals. Based on 2013-2017 cases and deaths, new cases are seen in approximately 442 out of 100,000 men and women yearly, and 158 out of 100,000 men and women die of the disease. Almost 40% of people get cancer in their life according to 2015-2017 data. There is, currently, an expected and estimated 1.8 million new cases and 600,000 new deaths from cancer this year alone. Cancer of any kind is very serious and threatening.
As for lung cancer, it is the leading cause of all cancer deaths, and the second overall leading cause of death in the United States. It is one of the most common types of cancer, primarily caused by smoking, which is harmful enough on its own. Lung cancer is incredibly dangerous due to it being difficult to spot in early phases, usually having spread throughout the body by the time it is found. Lung cancer, the most prolific killer of all cancers, is found in 200,000 people and kills about 150,000 yearly. Lung cancer mainly affects older people, but it can still affect essentially anyone, and, like all cancers, should be taken seriously.
There are many ways to try to stay clear of lung cancer, or at least lower one's chances of
getting it. Smoking is one main culprit of lung cancer;to stop smoking, or to never smoke in the first place, will greatly decrease a person's chances of lung cancer. Even if someone doesn't smoke, it is still good to stay away from second hand smoke (smoke from others'
cigarettes). On top of cigarette smoke, it is good to stay away from all types of smoke, hazardous chemicals, and gases. Testing one's home for harmful and undetected elements, such as Radon, a radioactive, odorless, tasteless, and colorless noble gas, is a good idea. Finally, there's nothing more helpful than staying healthy with a good diet and exercise.
(Photo Courtesy of: https://cancercenter.gwu.edu)
So what happens in Lung Cancer Awareness Month? Lung Cancer Awareness Month pushes that awareness is raised for lung cancer and lung cancer patients. Support is raised and given to those being treated for the disease, the survivors of lung cancer, and even their families. Lung Cancer Awareness may be one of the most crucial cancer awareness campaigns, as lung cancer is the most dangerous. Cancer research is very important for making advancements against the disease. The research aims to find safe ways to prevent, treat, and fight cancer. One day, there will hopefully be a cure, but until then, donating to research helps greatly. The American Cancer Society has invested over 4.9 billion dollars in research since 1946;though, according to the National Cancer Institute, 285.9 million dollars in lung cancer research was accumulated in 2013, almost half of what breast cancer received. Practically every cancer has its own awareness ribbon. For lung cancer, it is white or pearl. Wear white or pearl-colored ribbons throughout November to show support for lung cancer patients and survivors. Wearing actual pearls also shows support. White is said to show purity and innocence, but also mourning in some cultures. White also symbolizes the fact that lung cancer symptoms stay hidden and unnoticed.
An extra piece to think about is that it is also important to remember that this year, as the pandemic remains prominent, cancer patients are at a serious risk, due to underlying conditions. It is very important to put them into consideration this year, and keep them, and everyone else safe and healthy.
On a less negative note, there is a bit of Lung Cancer Awareness Month history. Lung Cancer Awareness Month has been around for just a few decades, only being resolved by Congress to be officially recognized in 2003. A day known as Lung Cancer Awareness Day was originally created over two decades ago by the Lung Cancer Alliance. This day would go on to fill the rest of November with awareness for lung cancer.
Works Cited
“LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH - November.” National Day Calendar, 26 Oct. 2018, nationaldaycalendar.com/lung-cancer-awareness-month-november/#:~:text=Lung Cancer Awareness Month has,t miss a single one.
“Lung Cancer Awareness Month: An Evolution.” Roche, www.roche.com/research_and_development/what_we_are_working_on/oncology/lung-cancer/lung_cancer_awareness_month__20_years_of_solidarity.htm.
“Why Wear Pearls for Lung Cancer?” Medivizor, 1 Apr. 2018, medivizor.com/blog/2015/11/09/wear-pearls-lung-cancer/.
“‘Lung Cancer Is the Biggest Cancer Killer in Both Men and Women’ Infographic.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 Sept. 2020, www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/mortality-infographic.htm.
“Cancer Statistics.” National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics.
“Causes.” Stanford Health Care (SHC) - Stanford Medical Center, 12 Sept. 2017, stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/cancer/cancer/cancer-causes.html.
“Donate.” American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html.
“November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.” November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month | The GW Cancer Center, cancercenter.gwu.edu/news/november-lung-cancer-awareness-month.
Staff, WWMG. “November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month: WWMG.” Western Washington Medical Group, 27 Nov. 2019, www.wwmedgroup.com/blog/november-is-lung-cancer-awareness-month/.
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