Lung Cancer & Smoking Cessation
Every year, WFFH selects two areas of primary focus in women’s health. The areas of primary focus each year receive heightened awareness in WFFH programming, including publication of articles in the WFFH scientific journal, patient information brochures, and donation to a researcher in the field at the annual fundraising gala.
To pre-order brochures for distribution at your place of business, (50 per package), please call the publisher at 1-516-944-7340, ext. 13, email
kyasas@wffh.org, or send your request with $25 shipping and handling per pack of 50 to:
WFFH: Lung Cancer
Attn: Publications
405 Main Street
Suite 8
Port Washington, NY 11050
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2007 Primary Focus: Lung Cancer & Smoking Cessation
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month!
Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM) is a national campaign dedicated to increasing attention to lung cancer issues. By organizing rallies, distributing educational material, holding fund-raising events, contacting Congress, and speaking to the media, those involved in LCAM bring much-needed support and attention to a disease that each year kills more people than breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers combined.
Lung cancer (both small cell and non-small cell) is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. More people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Lung cancer is rare in people under the age of 45.
In 2008 there will be about 215,020 new cases of lung cancer (both small cell and non-small cell) in the United States: 114,690 among men and 100,330 among women. About 161,840 people will die of this disease in 2008: 90,810 men and 71,030 women.
The average lifetime chance that a man will develop lung cancer is about 1 in 13. For a woman it is 1 in 16. These numbers include both smokers and non-smokers. For smokers the risk is much higher.
About 4 out of 10 people with either type of lung cancer are still alive 1 year after finding out they have the disease. Despite the very serious outlook for people with lung cancer, some people are cured.
Trying to Quit?
Statistics show, more than 70% of people try to quit, but only 5% to 10% are successful in doing so. Quitting can be tough, but there are ways to overcome this addiction. Some ways to improve your odds are listed below. Knowledge is power!
- Consider Using Medicines to Help You Quit
- Get Self-help Materials to Guide Yourself Through the Quitting Process
- Find Out About Support Programs Near You
- Use Telephone Counseling Programs
Other General Tips for Quitting?
Here are some general tips to help you try to quit:
- Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about which medicines are right for you.
- Write down your reasons for wanting to quit; keep the list with you for extra motivation.
- Throw away all of your cigarettes and ashtrays.
- Substitute the activities you do while smoking with other habits.
- Set a quit date and plan ahead to help deal with cravings.
- Tell your family, friends, and co-workers about your plans to quit.
- Have alternatives to smoking available, such as peppermints, carrot sticks, toothpicks, or cinnamon sticks.
- Stay busy.
- Avoid situations that always trigger an urge to smoke.
Call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 for more information, ideas, and resources.
* Facts and information from the
American Cancer Society website.
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