Eliminate the smoke screen around lung cancer: Letter
When we hear the same thing over and over again, it becomes fact — and we don’t question the validity. This can be detrimental, even fatal, if there is more to the story.
The 50-year “War on Smoking,” exclusively using lung cancer as the primary weapon, created shame, blame, lack of awareness, misinformation and a false sense of security surrounding this very dangerous, insidious disease.
Yes, smoking is hazardous to your health. Nicotine addiction dramatically increases risk for heart disease, diabetes, vision loss, rheumatoid arthritis and five different cancers — including lung cancer.
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Please seek treatment to overcome this addiction.
However, contrary to what we are led to believe: Everyone is at risk for lung cancer. This disease does not discriminate. Former and never smokers represent nearly 80 percent of all lung cancer patients.
More than 45,000 people with no smoking history will be diagnosed this year; the majority will be young, healthy women. A family history of lung cancer could increase risk by 50 percent.
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November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Let’s remove the smokescreen once and for all, and listen to the rest of the story. Please learn the symptoms of lung cancer and be proactive on your own behalf. It could save your life.
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For more information, join us for the Shine a Light on Lung Cancer at the Third Friday, Holiday Lights event in downtown Salisbury, Nov. 16, 5-8 p.m., or visit www.lungcanceralliance.org.
Deena Cook of Nanticoke is a lung cancer survivor and advocate.\