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MCC Daily Tribune

World Lung Cancer Day

World Lung Cancer Day is observed on August 1 each year. In a move to beat back occurrences of lung cancer, people around the world observe this very special day. The mission for this day is simple — raise as much awareness of lung cancer as you can, while encouraging people to screen themselves for this disease. As for why this day is so important… according to the World Health Organization, this cancer is so prevalent in the world that yearly, more people die from lung cancer than from colon, breast, and liver cancers combined. We’re not sure who the organizers of this day are, but we are certain they aimed to encourage everyone towards better outcomes and recovery from this disease.

HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD LUNG CANCER DAY

  1. Adopt healthy habits
    Avoid smoking, plant more trees around you, get air-purifying houseplants, and help others quit using tobacco products too. Do what you can to make the environment a lung-friendly one, for both you and your loved ones.

  2. Push lung cancer screening
    Know anyone with symptoms of lung cancer? Encourage them to screen for lung cancer, as recommended by experts. Lead by example and make a screening appointment for yourself too.

  3. Join the fight against lung cancer
    Check out what local cancer clinics and medical institutions have in store for this day. Contribute your way by sharing your knowledge of this day and its cause.

5 Important Facts You Need to Know About Lung Cancer

  1. Screening is a major deterrent
    According to certain bodies of cancer research, if around eight million Americans at a higher risk of lung cancer (aka those with exposure to contaminated air, etc.) got themselves screened, the U.S. would be able to save almost 25,000 lives.

  2. Very high smoking rates after WWII
    This was partly because the tobacco industry claimed tobacco was completely harmless, and physicians would appear in television advertisements to advocate smoking.

  3. Who should be screened
    According to the American Cancer Society, this list must include all current and former smokers, people over 55, and those with known exposure to toxic carcinogens.

  4. The world's largest lung cancer conference
    100 countries send more than 7,000 delegates to the World Conference on Lung Cancer (W.C.L.C.) to discuss the latest developments in all cancers related to the chest area, including lung cancers and tracheal (windpipe) cancers.

  5. A silver lining in the U.S.
    The American Cancer Society reports mortality rates have steadily been declining over the years, mainly due to advances in lung cancer treatments and growing awareness among the American public of the ill effects of smoking.

Why World Lung Cancer Day Is Important

  1. It's shining a light on lung cancer
    Every activity held on this day has a common aim. That aim is to raise awareness of lung cancer, its causes, preventive measures, and options for treatments.

  2. It's helping the people
    People benefit from the increased awareness of risks. That means raising awareness about increasing early detection and saving lives in the process.

  3. It's honoring those with lung cancer too
    Apart from striving to prevent occurrences of lung cancer in the global population, World Lung Cancer Day is also an event that celebrates, honors, and commemorates every single person impacted by lung cancer. This higher awareness and increased understanding can help elevate the quality of life of many lung cancer patients.

Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
08/01/2022