November 22, 2005

In an effort to bring awareness to the seriousness of lung cancer, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is observing November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in Michigan. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2005, there will be 6,110 new cases of lung cancer and 5,790 lung cancer related deaths in Michigan.

Tobacco use is the number one cause of lung cancer. Ninety percent of lung cancer cases occur in people who smoke, and ninety percent of all smokers start using tobacco before age 18.

Non-smokers who breathe second-hand smoke can also develop lung cancer. Non-smoking spouses of smokers have a 30 percent greater risk of developing lung cancer than do spouses of non-smokers. Increasing age, a family history of lung cancer, and exposure to asbestos, radon, or other specific cancer-causing agents in the workplace or environment are also factors that increase an individual’s risk of developing lung cancer.

Though most forms of lung cancer do not cause symptoms until they are in advanced stages, the following symptoms should be reported to your physician if you are at risk:

· A cough that does not go away

· Chest pain, often made worse by deep breathing

· Hoarseness

· Weight loss and loss of appetite

· Blood or rust-colored sputum (phlegm)

· Shortness of breath

· Recurring infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia

· New onset of wheezing

The best way to prevent lung cancer is not to smoke and to avoid people who do. The following free smoking cessation resources are available to help people quit for good:

Telephone Services

· Michigan Department of Community Health’s Tobacco Quit Line: 1-800-480-QUIT

· National Cancer Institute: 1-800-4-CANCER

Online Services

· National Cancer Institute’s Live Help: www.cancer.gov

· American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking Program: www.lungusa.org

· Try-To-Stop Resource: www.trytostop.org

· Quit Net – Quit All Together: www.quitnet.com

Materials

· Tobacco cessation resource materials including the Michigan Smoker’s Quit Kit and the Expectant Mother’s Quit Kit are available through the Health Promotion’s Clearinghouse online at www.hpclearinghouse.org or by calling 1-800-537-5666.

· The Michigan Providers Tobacco Tool Kit is available through the Michigan Cancer Consortium’s website at http://www.michigancancer.org/WhatWeDo/tob-providerstoolkit.cfm.