Recent Events

July 2011

Women In Government featured lung cancer at the Oncology Task Force in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to the Lung Cancer Alliance, more than 60 percent of new cases are diagnosed among those who never smoked or former smokers who quit decades ago. This session provided an overview of the disease, its prevalence and treatment, dispelled some of the misperceptions about the disease, and also included an update on policy issues. Deborah Morosini, sister of the late Dana Reeve, spoke about her work advocating for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. To view her presentation click here, and to learn more about her and her work, please click here. Laurie Fenton Ambrose, the President and Executive Officer of the Lung Cancer Alliance also provided more information about the extent of lung cancer and who it affects. Click here to view her presentation.

About Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells do not carry out the functions of normal cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue. As they grow, the abnormal cells can form tumors and impede the function of the lung.

Almost two million people worldwide are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Furthermore, more people die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. This is true for both men and women. In the United States, lung cancer is the second most common cancer among White, American Indian, and Alaskan Native women, and the third most common cancer among Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic women.

The financial costs of lung cancer are high. One study estimates that the cost of treating lung cancer in the United States in 2004 was $9.6 billion. This makes it one of the most expensive cancers to treat. Lung cancer is one of the most preventable and least curable of cancers. Lung cancer is associated with many known risk factors. Many risk factors are modifiable though not all can be avoided.

Studies have shown that smoking tobacco products in any form is the major cause of lung cancer. Nearly 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths among women are from smoking. Even though smoking’s harmful effects are well known, one out of every five women in the United States still smoke. People who stop smoking and never start again can lower their risk of developing lung cancer.

Quitting smoking is the best defense against lung cancer. There are a number of ways to help stop smoking; using products such as nicotine gum, nicotine sprays, nicotine inhalers, nicotine patches or nicotine lozenges as well as antidepressant drugs may be helpful to people trying to quit smoking. Even non-smokers can suffer the dangerous effects of smoking. Studies show that second-hand tobacco smoke also causes lung cancer. This has enabled states to pass laws prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants. Avoiding second-hand smoke can help reduce one’s risk of lung cancer.

While many people associate lung cancer with smoking, this is not the sole cause. Someone who has had no exposure to smoke can still be susceptible to lung cancer. Cancer causing agents that may be found indoors, especially in the workplace can cause lung cancer. These agents include: asbestos, radon, arsenic, chromium, nickel, tar and soot. Individuals can have their homes tested for radon, and should know what they are being exposed to in the workplace. Radon is a radioactive gas resulting from broken down uranium. It cannot be seen, felt, smelled or tasted. Uranium occurs naturally in soil and the fear is that homes are being built over natural deposits, creating high levels of indoor radon exposure.

Studies show that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables may help lower the risk of lung cancer, while heavy alcohol drinking may increase one’s risk of lung cancer. Additionally studies show that people who are physically active may have a lower risk of lung cancer than those who are not.
 

Need help quitting? Or would like to help a family member/friend quit? Follow the link to smokefree.gov to find an Online Guide to Quitting

Resource links:

American Association for Cancer Research
http://www.aacr.org/

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp

American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.22542/k.CA6A/Home.htm

Women Against Lung Cancer
http://www.4walc.org/