Lung Cancer: What Everyone Should Know (NAPSA)—Oneof the greatest obstacles to overcoming cancer is fear. Many people are afraid to learn about their risk for the disease, or don’t get a definite diagnosis, ultimately depriving themselves of support and treatment that could savetheirlives. Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in America, claiming more lives than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined. More importantly, advances in detection methods and treatment regimens are being researched, providing more hope than ever for people with the disease or those at risk. Although most lung cancer cases are smoking-related (90 percent), 10 percent of patients have never smoked. Unfortunately, due to the connection between smoking and lung cancer, many patients report feeling blamed. In fact, according to a recent survey by Cancer Care, Inc., a patient advocacy group, lung cancer patients feel that they are treated differently than people with other types of cancers. Even a higher numberof the medical professionals surveyed (77 percent of professionals vs. 44 percent of patients) believe people with lung cancer are often stigmatized. To help decrease this culture of blame, It’s Time To Focus On Lung Cancer, a national public awareness campaign, is encouraging people to learn their lung cancer risks and seek an early diagnosis. Patients, family members, and caregivers can find up-to-date lung cancer information at www. It’s Time To Focus On L CANCER New treatments and support organizations can help make the fight against lung cancereasier. lungeancer.org and receive sup- port through: “Ask the Experts” to have their questions answered byregistered nurses, oncologists, dietitians, and cancersocial workers; or Lung Cancer Toll-Free Information Line at 1-877-646-LUNG (1-877-646-5864) to have their questions answered by cancer social workers. Lungcancerrisk factors include exposure to asbestos, air pollution, environmental tobacco smoke, some organic chemicals, radon and tuberculosis. To lower your risk of developing lung cancer: * Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into yourdiet; If you smoke, quit (the risk of developing the disease drops after quitting); Avoid secondhand smoke; and Avoid exposure to chemicals like asbestos that can cause lung cancer. It’s Time To Focus On Lung Cancer is sponsored by Cancer Care, Inc., Oncology Nursing Society, and The CHEST Foundation.
