November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a vital time to shine a spotlight on one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. Lung cancer accounts for approximately 25% of all cancer deaths, making it the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and worldwide.

Lung cancer often develops silently, with symptoms appearing only in advanced stages. Symptoms may include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, recurrent lung infections, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. It is important to understand risk factors, such as smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke and environmental toxins, like radon and asbestos, and poor air quality resulting from inadequate ventilation. Early detection can significantly improve outcomes, so regular screening—especially for high-risk individuals— is essential.

Smoking is the most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States and is responsible for 480,000 deaths each year, the majority of which are due to lung cancer. In partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Whittier runs a smoking cessation, the Tobacco Treatment Program (TTP), which provides individual tobacco treatment counseling to patients, many of whom live with poverty, mental health issues, substance abuse, and multiple chronic illnesses. The counseling, conducted in English or Spanish, helps patients with tackling nicotine addiction, as well as reducing their exposure to smoking environments, e.g. second- or third-hand smoke.

Together, we can foster awareness, promote prevention, and drive progress in the fight against lung cancer. If you are worried about your lung health, you can book an appointment with your primary care provider at (617) 427-1000. If you are interested in stopping smoking, please talk to your primary care provider and read Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Tip Sheet here: https://dfci.widen.net/s/nsrxjbtpww/tobacco_use_final_tip_sheet_2021.pdf