A Covert Killer

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month and I want to take this opportunity to tell you about the disease that came into our lives like a thief in the night.

As most of you know, my husband Jim was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002. November 15 of this year marks seven years of his survival with a catastrophic illness that doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

Jim is in a minority. He is in an elite group of those who have survived more than five years with lung cancer. Taking into account the stage and spread of his cancer, the group is even smaller. Less than 1% of patients with stage IV lung cancer live for 5 years.

In 2002, Jim was one of approximately 220,000 people diagnosed with lung cancer. 28,000 of those never smoked. Only 35,000 or 16% were diagnosed while in the early stages. Comparatively, 90% of prostate cancers are discovered in early stages; 50% of breast cancers are diagnosed in early stages.

Only 16 % of people diagnosed with lung cancer live for 5 years, as compared to 89% of breast cancer and 99% of prostate. That means that 187,000 of the 220,000 diagnosed along with Jim in 2002 are dead.

Lung cancer kills 160,000 people annually—more than breast, colon, and prostate cancers COMBINED. Yet a disproportionate amount of money is spent on research. The National Cancer Institute estimates that last year it spent $1,415 per lung cancer death, compared to $13,991 per breast cancer death, 10,945 per prostate cancer death, and 4,952 per colorectal cancer death. Yet, among all types of cancer, lung cancer remains the #1 killer—for both men and women.

Unfortunately, there is a stigma that accompanies lung cancer because many people assume it is caused from smoking and therefore self-inflicted. Jim never smoked; he was physically fit and went for regular physicals. Even if he had been a smoker, no one deserves lung cancer any more than someone deserves AIDS or Diabetes or breast cancer. But we don’t seem to judge as harshly people who fail to exercise, spend time in tanning beds, or eat a steady diet of fast food.

“There is a feeling among the general public, that lung cancer is a self-inflicted disease. Smoking is responsible for 80% to 85% of lung cancers, but let’s put this in perspective: Twice as many women die from lung cancer in the United States each year as die from breast cancer, and 20% of these women have never touched a cigarette. Even for those who smoke and develop lung cancer, why do we attach such a stigma to them? Many cancers, and other chronic diseases, are related to lifestyle choices.”
www.about.com/lungcancer “The Stigma of Lung Cancer” Lynne Eldridge MD


There are few events, rallies, or programs in November (Lung Cancer Month) compared to those in October for Breast Cancer Month—perhaps because there aren’t as many survivors to take up the banner. I guess there wouldn’t be many participants in our “Race for the Cure.” The band would have to play “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

What can you do?

Support the cause with donations.
Get an annual chest x-ray.
Stop smoking.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

It won’t prevent cancer but you will be better able to survive aggressive treatment.