Smoking-out Lung Cancer
By Jennifer Sharp Pavluk
November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. 8 out of 10 lung cancer cases are attributed to cigarettes, cigars or pipe smoking. Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer but it is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. It is also the most preventable.
The American Cancer Society is a large army in this fight, funding cutting-edge research leading to the discovery of lifesaving treatments like Alimta (pemetrexed), for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.
This November 20th, 2009 is the Society’s Great American Smokeout. Since 1977, this event has drawn attention to the deaths and chronic diseases caused by smoking, and the many smoking cessation methods.
Quitting may not be easy but the signs of recovery are almost immediate, and the benefits, priceless:
- • After only 20 minutes - your heart rate drops.
• In 12 hours – carbon monoxide levels in the blood drops to normal
• 2 weeks to 3 months – circulation improves, lung function up 30%
• 1-9 months - coughing congestion and fatigue decrease, and the cilia regain normal function in the lungs reducing infections
• After 1 year – risk of coronary artery disease is half that of a smoker.
• After 5 years – your risk of stoke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker
• At 10 years – risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of smokers.
• 15 years – risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.
This year, encourage the smokers in your life to quit, and the youth in your life not to start. Give your love, support and patience. And give them ACS Quitline, 1-877-YES-QUIT.
Despite the very serious prognosis of lung cancer, some people are cured. More than 400,000 people alive today have been diagnosed with lung cancer at some point in time.
Please join us to support Davis Island’s Relay For Life event April 24th 2009. By donating time and/or money, you will stand up for all those affected by lung cancer…and those that will be. relayforlife.org/davisislandsfl
Ar you interested in supporting your Relay For Life of Davis Islands? Contact Yvonne Cordoves at Yvonne.cordoves[at]cancer.org, (813) 319-5918, or Event Chair Jennifer Sharp Pavluk at sharpiej[at]mac.com
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