B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Health
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month!
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer for both men and women. It is the cancer starting in the cells of the tubes lining the lungs. This form of cancer is most common in older adults, and comes in 2 forms.
1. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer - This is the most common, and spreads the slowest. 2. Small Cell Lung Cancer - This form is less common, but spreads much quicker than NSCLC.
Lung cancer is greatly caused by cigarette smoke, with the chances of developing the ailment increasing with the amount of daily smoke exposure. Secondhand smoke also increases the risk of lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 3,000 non-smoking adults will die each year from lung cancer related to secondhand smoke exposure.
Other causes include:
-High levels of air pollution
-High levels of arsenic in drinking water
-Radon gas
-Asbestos
-Family history of lung cancer
-Radiation therapy to the lungs
-Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust
-High levels of arsenic in drinking water
-Radon gas
-Asbestos
-Family history of lung cancer
-Radiation therapy to the lungs
-Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust
With November being Lung Cancer Awareness Month, LungCancer.org is promoting free support services, workshops, and calls to action. These efforts are just some of the ways we can work to combat lung cancer, and stop its takeover in our society. Many states have gone "smoke-free", where no smoking is allowed inside any building. These efforts not only protect smokers, but nonsmokers as well.
For more information on lung cancer, awareness, and prevention, check out the following sites: