By Laura Bourdeanu, NP, PhD
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer around the world. Almost a fifth of people who die from cancer are said to have been suffering from lung cancer.
According to a report by the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is no. 2 on the most diagnosed types of cancer list in America, in both men and women. Estimates show that around 222,500 new lung cancer diagnoses will be made in 2017.
The World Lung Cancer day is celebrated every year on 1st of August to spread awareness of the disease that had not been common in the early 20th century. Since people found it fashionable to smoke, the occurrence of lung cancer started increasing and now 12.8% of cancer cases and 17.8% cancer deaths around the world are attributed to this disease.
The good news is that lung cancer is preventable. World Lung Cancer Day is an initiative by the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) collaborating with Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) to support and honor those affected by lung cancer.
FIRS is doing its best to increase the efforts at the base level to raise awareness about lung cancer. It plays an active role in educating people about lung cancer risks and how it affects the lives of many people globally, and also helps people learn about the options they have for early treatment.
You can become a member of the The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), Lung Cancer Foundation, or any organization devoted exclusively to eradicating lung cancer through research, early detection, education, and treatment. Although we have made great progress in treating lung, cancer much more needs to be done to make lung cancer a chronically manageable disease. Progress cannot happen without awareness. So on World Cancer Day create awareness among your friends that there is still hope for people and their families who are suffering from lung cancer.