Posted October 31, 2023
November is lung cancer awareness month, and ADAO wants to use this opportunity to shed light on the disease that kills more people than any other form of cancer.
According to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, reports show:
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide
- An estimated 238,340 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023 in the U.S.
- Approximately 127,070 American lives are lost annually
- 1 in 16 men will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 17 women will be diagnosed
- Asbestos is a leading risk factor when it comes to developing lung cancer
Every October, we celebrate Healthy Lung Month and Health Literacy Month. Now, starting November 1st, we shift our focus to Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Asbestos, a known carcinogen, can be found in homes, schools, and offices, as well as consumer products like cosmetics, children’s toys, and more. It can damage your lungs and cause cancer. What many people don’t realize is the United States still imports and uses this deadly toxin.
In 2019, an estimated 34,000 Americans died from asbestos-caused lung cancer. Yet, asbestos is still legal and lethal in the U.S. today and every year around 40,000 more people die from asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Second-hand asbestos exposure can be dangerous, deadly, and unstoppable. The fibers of this mineral cling to the clothing and hair of people who work directly with it, making exposure possible for countless others, even though most people have no idea they are being exposed. A 2022 ProPublica article, “Lawsuits: A Factory Blew Asbestos Into a Neighborhood; Decades Later, Residents Are Getting Sick and Dying,” details the horrifying impacts of asbestos exposure on individuals, their families, and entire communities. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure for those who work directly with it or those who are exposed second-hand.
Additionally, legacy asbestos can be found in millions of buildings around our nation, which can then be released into the air during natural disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. This puts our first responders and community members in greater danger of asbestos exposure during and long after a disaster.
Therefore, in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, ADAO is presenting five ways in which you can learn more about asbestos and asbestos-related illnesses, advocate for those who have been exposed, and fight for a ban to help save lives.
- Educate yourself: Asbestos can be found in homes, schools, and workplaces. Knowing where asbestos is located can ensure you keep yourself safe from accidental exposure.
- Quit smoking: Acquire knowledge about smoking cessation programs. While we know smoking is already harmful, those exposed to asbestos are 5 times more likely to get an asbestos-related respiratory disease if they smoke.
- Watch for the early warning signs: A cough that won’t go away, tightness in the chest, wheezing, and ongoing shortness of breath may be signs of asbestos exposure. Seek professional medical advice if these symptoms persist.
- Aim for Early Detection: If exhibiting the warning signs above, you may consider asking your physician for a low-dose CT scan. These scans are a new and accepted form of screening tests that help improve early detection and treatment. You can learn about them in this video by Dr. Steven Markowitz or by talking with your primary care physician.
- Learn about your diagnosis and treatment options: Lung cancer develops within the lung; however, mesothelioma develops in the mesothelium. Mesothelial tumors can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant mesothelioma). There are four types of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and testicular. Both lung cancer and mesothelioma have a poor prognosis. Education on the type of cancer can help determine available treatment options that are right for the patient.
Please consider sharing these five points on your social media accounts, you could save a life! The time to act is now. We are stronger together.
In unity,
Linda Reinstein