November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

The threat of lung cancer is incredibly serious for adults in the US. Although the disease is commonly associated with smoking, the truth is that many people who have never smoked cigarettes are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. That’s why it’s so important for people to understand their risk of lung cancer and take a proactive approach to their respiratory health. With this in mind, our healthcare providers have taken time to provide some essential information on lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed form of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in the US. In fact, lung cancer accounts for nearly 25% of annual cancer deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 228,820 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the US this year and lung cancer will cause over 135,000 deaths. However, lung cancer rates have been steadily decreasing nationally, as cigarette smoking becomes less common. The average age of a lung cancer diagnosis is about 70.

Different people may experience different degrees of lung cancer symptoms. Although symptoms related to the lungs are most common, symptoms in other parts of the body can occur in cases where the cancer has spread. In some cases, lung cancer may result in general symptoms of not feeling well. Common lung cancer symptoms include persistent coughing, chest pain, breathing issues, fatigue, and sudden weight loss.

In order for a person to reduce their risk of developing lung cancer, people should never smoke cigarettes. Smokers should do their best to quit immediately. It’s also important to avoid secondhand smoke (smoke from other people’s cigarettes, cigars, or pipes). It’s important to maintain a smoke-free environment at home and at the office. People with a history of smoking, people between the ages of 55-80, and those with a family history of lung cancer should undergo annual screening appointments.

Quitting can be easier said than done for long-time smokers. That’s why we recommend using the resources available to you. We recommend focusing on prevention and avoiding triggers that lead to smoking like drinking alcohol. Our healthcare providers may be able to prescribe medications meant to assist smokers trying to quit.

We hope everyone reading this takes the message to heart. Lung cancer awareness month is all about sharing information in the hopes of protecting the health and wellbeing of our patients and their loved ones. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.