World Lung Cancer Day (WLCD) is an annual awareness day dedicated to raising awareness of lung cancer and the importance of early diagnosis. In 2020, at least 1,796,144 people across the globe were estimated to die from lung cancer alone. In 2022, there has already been 609,360 projected deaths associated with lung cancer. That equals to at least 350 deaths every single day.
You might be getting the idea now about why raising awareness of this disease is so important. The purpose of this day of recognition is to help close the gap when it comes to getting care. The day was established in 2012 on August 1 and it’s a great way to help spread awareness for lung health.
While World Lung Cancer Day is right around the corner on August 1st, it’s important to lend a hand and extend education about lung cancer, ways to help prevent it, and how to navigate such a diagnosis. Keep reading to learn more.
So, What Is the Point of World Lung Cancer Day?
The primary goal of World Lung Cancer Day is to raise awareness about the disease. Many organizations work to provide activities in their communities to help increase focus on presenting public awareness about lung cancer risk factors and warning signs. Participating organizations may also work to increase access to screening and provide the public with educational resources.
Overall, World Lung Cancer Day is a global initiative to raise awareness and spark action on this disease that claims the lives of millions of individuals worldwide.
Understanding Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a disease that starts in the lungs. It’s more noticed in those who smoke but the disease can be caused by multiple things such as;
- Family history
- Exposure to smoke; second-hand
- Smoking in general
- Being exposed to harmful toxins
Lung cancer is usually categorized into two types. One type is referred to as small cell lung cancer and this type is more of an aggressive form. Usually, this type of cancer will start in the bronchi which are our breathing tubes and then start to spread.
The spread of the disease happens quickly in these cases which is what causes the rapid development of large tumors and the spread of those tumors is what’s called metastasizing. The other type of lung cancer is called non-small cell lung cancer.
This type is also called NSCLC and it’s more of a grouping of cancers. The group of cancers will be similar in the way that it reacts within the body. Recognizable symptoms would be a cough that you can’t get rid of as well as shortness of breath. You should also look out for weight loss and any blood or sputum when coughing.
Top Things You Should Know About the Disease
While many people think they have all the facts about Lung Cancer, there is always something new to learn. Let’s highlight some of the top things you might benefit from knowing about the disease;
- At least 81% of people diagnosed with lung cancer are over the age of 60
- Over half of people that have received the diagnosis die within just a year of being diagnosed
- The survival rate of lung cancer drops by 3.5% after the disease starts to spread
- The newest treatment for the disease is called Atezolizumab which is an immune checkpoint inhibitor
- $9 Million was awarded by Penn Medicine to promote further development and research of the advanced technology being used to light up lung cancer tumors
While there is a lot to learn about the disease there are also things you can do to help to prevent it. You can help prevent lung cancer by avoiding things like smoking, being exposed to secondhand smoke, and air pollution. By minimizing your risk of being exposed to harmful chemicals or pollutants, you reduce your chances of being exposed to things that could cause lung cancer over time.
Why Is Early Detection and Awareness so Important?
Early detection is key to surviving lung cancer. The earlier it’s caught, the better chance you have of beating it, and the less invasive the treatment will be. That’s why it’s so important to be knowledgeable and aware of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
If you’re screening regularly, you’re more likely to find it early and get the right care if you need it. You can also help others by raising awareness of the importance of early detection and encouraging others to get regular screenings. Keep in mind that according to The American Cancer Society that annual screenings should be the ideal range for observation.
Of course, you should also consider your current health status including your smoking history. While only 16% of lung cancer cases are caught in the early stages, it remains vital to stay on top of your check-ups and educate yourself.
A Few Ways to Celebrate World Lung Cancer Day
There are a variety of ways to observe World Lung Cancer Day if you’re a senior in Florida but we’ll give you some ideas to help you get started.
- Consider adopting new healthy habits
- Arrange for a lung cancer screening
- Consider changing your social media profile pictures to mention WLCD
- Coordinate a fundraiser for someone you know suffering from Lung Cancer or just raise general awareness
- Participate in a WLCD vigil or fundraising event
- Learn more by diving into educational materials and share what you’ve learned with family, friends, or anyone that will listen.
While you can spread awareness in multiple ways, you might also like to know that the appropriate color ribbon for the day is white. White represents lung cancer awareness and if you wear one or even wear all-white, these are great ways to spread awareness whether at home, work, or even running errands.
We’re All Responsible for Raising Awareness
Did you know that the youngest person in the world to receive a lung cancer diagnosis was an eight-year-old girl near Eastern China? Unfortunately, pollution was the cause of her diagnosis and this is one of the many reasons education about the disease must be shared.
If you’re a senior living in Florida, you might also like to know that Florida ranks 22 in the nation for incidences related to lung cancer. What that translates out to is about 57.3 new diagnoses’ for every 100,000 in the state.
The national incidence rate is 57.7 for every 100,000. This is another reason to learn more, to participate in raising awareness, and to do your best to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy.
