Breathe Easy This November
Nearly every two minutes, a person in the US is diagnosed with lung cancer. Lung cancer is still the leading cause of death by cancer among both women and men. The good news is over the past five years, the US survival rate has increased by 22% and more people than ever are surviving the diagnosis. This November, Harbin Clinic is urging patients to lower their risk of lung cancer with early diagnosis and prevention.
Smoking is linked to between 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths in the US and is the leading risk factor for lung cancer. From a prevention standpoint, ending a smoking habit is still the single best thing you can do to improve your health. However, discussing risk factors and overall health with your primary care doctor can play a significant role in prevention and should not be underestimated.
Lung Cancer Stats
Very few cases of lung cancer in the US are diagnosed in the early stages when the survival rate is much higher. In Georgia, nearly half of lung cancer cases are not discovered until a later stage when the survival rate is only 8%. By connecting with your physician sooner, you could be saving your life.
The State of Lung Cancer report released this November 2023 by the American Lung Association revealed that the state of Georgia is below the national average for screening high-risk patients for lung cancer. Want to know if you need screening? You are considered high-risk if:
- You’re between 50 and 80 years old and have a smoking history.
- You’ve amassed 20 or more “pack years” (1 pack a day for 20 years, 2 packs a day for 10 years, etc.).
We recommend talking with your primary care provider about your risks and family history of lung cancer to determine next steps.
Trying to Quit Smoking?
Have a conversation with your physician about well-known, safe and effective substitutions to help you quit smoking. Methods such as nicotine gum, patches, nasal spray, inhalers, lozenges and the non-nicotine medications bupropion and varenicline can help relieve your physical symptoms and are worth discussing with your doctor. Check out the American Lung Association’s three-step process for quitting all forms of smoking, no matter your age or addiction level:
- Identify a deeper understanding of your tobacco dependency and unique patterns or routines.
- Strategize ways to manage physical, mental and social factors associated with quitting all smoking products.
- Learn stress management, relapse prevention, self-monitoring, and motivation for long-term success.
For Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we’re saying yes to lung cancer prevention and no to all forms of smoking.
