November is recognized as Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM) in the United States, focusing national attention on the disease’s profound impact. This month-long public health initiative educates people about risk factors, promotes early detection, and advocates for increased research funding. Lung cancer is a disease with a high mortality rate, making widespread public awareness an important step in reducing mortality rates.
The Significance of November
The observance of LCAM grew from a single day event in 1995, expanding to a full month to sustain awareness efforts. This annual focus addresses not only medical facts but also the social dimensions of the disease. A primary goal is the destigmatization of lung cancer, challenging the misconception that it is exclusively a “smoker’s disease” and promoting the fact that anyone can be affected.
Advocacy is a major component of LCAM, with organizations pushing for greater investment in medical research to find new and improved treatments. The campaign also focuses on improving access to care, promoting life-saving lung cancer screening, and advocating for the expansion of coverage guidelines, including support for mobile screening units.
Essential Facts About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States, accounting for approximately one in five of all cancer deaths. More people die annually from lung cancer than from colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined, underscoring the severity of the public health challenge. The disease is broadly categorized into two main types based on how the cells appear under a microscope: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is the more common type, making up about 85% of all cases, and is generally less aggressive than SCLC. NSCLC includes subtypes such as adenocarcinoma, the most common form found in people who do not smoke, and squamous cell carcinoma. Small Cell Lung Cancer accounts for the remaining 15% of cases. SCLC is characterized by smaller, rounder cells and is known for being highly aggressive, often spreading to other parts of the body before diagnosis. Smoking is strongly associated with both types, but the link is particularly strong with SCLC.
Who Should Be Screened
Early detection is a major focus because finding lung cancer before it spreads can significantly increase the five-year survival rate. The only recommended screening tool for those at high risk is the Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) scan, a quick, non-invasive procedure that uses a low amount of radiation to create detailed images of the lungs.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends yearly LDCT screening for adults aged 50 to 80 years old. These individuals must also have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years and either currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. A “pack-year” is calculated by multiplying the average number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years a person has smoked.
The criteria were recently expanded to include a younger starting age and a lower pack-year threshold, nearly doubling the number of people eligible for this screening. Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health condition that limits their life expectancy or ability to have lung surgery. If a person is currently smoking, they should also receive interventions to help them quit as part of the screening process.
Primary Prevention Strategies
The most impactful way to prevent lung cancer is to avoid or eliminate exposure to known risk factors, an approach known as primary prevention. Smoking cessation is the single most effective action, as tobacco use is the leading cause, implicated in approximately 80% to 90% of all lung cancer cases. Quitting smoking at any age significantly lowers the risk, with the chance of developing lung cancer decreasing by 30% to 60% after 10 years of abstinence.
Preventing exposure to secondhand smoke is also an important part of a preventative strategy, since non-smokers living with a smoker have an increased risk of developing the disease. Beyond tobacco, the colorless, odorless radioactive gas called radon is a significant cause of lung cancer, especially among smokers. Individuals should test their homes for radon, particularly in basements and ground-floor areas, as elevated levels can be mitigated through professional remediation. Avoiding or minimizing exposure to occupational carcinogens like asbestos, arsenic, and nickel is another preventative measure, often requiring the use of protective equipment and adherence to workplace safety guidelines.