For Immediate Release

From: Four Corners Health Department, serving Butler, Polk, Seward, and York Counties

Contact:  Vicki L. Duey, 402-362-2621 or toll free 877-337-3573

Date:  November 22, 2011

SNUFF OUT LUNG CANCER – KNOW THE FACTS

Lung Cancer is a tragic disease that takes a terrible toll on those with the disease, as well as their loved ones.  It is the leading cancer killer of both men and women in the United States.  Lung cancers are cancers that begin in the lungs.  Other types of cancers may spread to the lungs from other organs.  However, these are not considered lung cancers because they did not start in the lungs.

The risk factors for lung cancer include:

          Smoking and Second-Hand Smoke – Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer.  In fact, smoking tobacco is the major risk factor for lung cancer.  In the United States, about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women are due to smoking.  People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke.

           Secondhand smoke – Smoke from other people’s cigarettes causes lung cancer too.  Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals.  Every year, about 3,000 nonsmokers die from lung cancer due to secondhand smoke.

           Radon – Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause lung cancer and is sometimes found in people’s homes.  It comes from the rocks and dirt and can get trapped in houses and buildings.  Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

          Workplace substances – such as asbestos, arsenic, and some forms of silica and chromium can increase your chance of getting lung cancer.  For many of these substances, the risk of getting lung cancer is even higher for those who also smoke.

          Family History – The risk of lung cancer may be higher if a person’s parents, brothers and sisters, or children have had lung cancer.  This increased risk could come from a variety of things.  They may share behaviors, like smoking.  They may live in the same home that has radon gas.  They may have inherited an increased risk due to their genetics.

          Diet – Scientists have been studying different foods to see how they may affect your chances of getting lung cancer.  Eating a lot of cholesterol might increase the risk of lung cancer.  Drinking a lot of alcohol may raise the risk as well.  However, it is hard to tell how much of the risk in people who drink alcohol is actually due to tobacco smoke, since many people may both smoke and drink alcohol.

Different people have different symptoms when it comes to lung cancer.  Some people don’t initially have any symptoms at all.  Some lung cancer symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing that does not go away
• Wheezing
• Coughing up blood
• Chest Pain
• Repeated bouts with pneumonia
• Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes in the chest area

These symptoms can happen with other illnesses too.  If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you should talk to your doctor who can help find the cause.

What can you do to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer? 

• First of all, don’t smoke!  And, if you do smoke, quit now.  Quitting smoking will reduce your risk of lung cancer no matter how old you are and how much you smoke.  The longer a person goes without smoking, the more the risk for developing lung cancer will improve compared to those that continue to smoke. 

Nebraska supports a toll-free quit line for smokers wanting support to help them quit their tobacco habit.  That number is:  1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUITNOW).  The website for this same service can be found at:  www.QuitNow.ne.gov.  You can also visit smokefree.gov, or direct any questions to:  questions@fourcorners.ne.gov.

• Avoid Secondhand smoke

• Make your home and workplace safer

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

Join the fight against lung cancer by taking the time to learn about this deadliest form of cancer.  Share this information with everyone you know and reduce your own risk by following the guidelines listed.  Your family and loved ones will be glad that you did.

Please contact Four Corners Health Department for more information about lung cancer prevention@ 1-800-337-3573 or locally @ 402-362-2621.  Short term radon kits will be available through Four Corners Health Department in January.  You can contact the health department for more information on obtaining these or for other locations in your area.