Every November, we dedicate a month to raising awareness for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States. It’s a time to acknowledge the impact of this disease, honor those we’ve lost, and work towards a future with better prevention, earlier detection, and more effective treatments.
A Story of Breath and Resilience:
Lung cancer doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. While smoking is a major risk factor, lung cancer can also occur in non-smokers due to exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, and occupational hazards.
Early Detection Saves Lives:
The key to overcoming lung cancer lies in early detection. Unfortunately, lung cancer symptoms often appear in later stages, making early detection crucial. Here are some common symptoms to be aware of:
- A persistent cough that doesn’t go away
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain that worsens when you take a deep breath or cough
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Hoarseness
- Fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Talk to your doctor and discuss your risk factors.
Taking Action for Change:
This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, let’s commit to making a difference:
- Educate Yourself: Learn about the risk factors, symptoms, and screening options for lung cancer.
- Encourage Early Detection: Talk to your loved ones about the importance of lung cancer screenings, especially if they are at high risk.
- Advocate for Research: Support organizations dedicated to lung cancer research and development of new treatments.
- Spread Awareness: Share information and resources with your network to raise awareness about lung cancer.
The Fight Goes On:
While significant progress has been made in lung cancer treatment, there’s still a long way to go. By raising awareness, promoting early detection, and supporting research, we can create a future where lung cancer is preventable, treatable, and ultimately, curable.
Here are some resources for further information and support:
- American Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/basics
- Lung Cancer Foundation of America: https://lcfamerica.org/
- National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/hp
Together, let’s breathe a sigh of relief in the fight against lung cancer. Let’s ensure everyone has the knowledge and resources they need to breathe deep, breathe easy, and live a healthy life.
Dr. Kre Johnson is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician and the sole owner of Brownstone Healthcare and Aesthetics. She is the Medical Director of the City of Birmingham’s Employee Health Clinic-Brownstone BWell Birmingham. She is the Event Producer of Wifeology and the founder of Three Twenty Girls, Inc. She loves God, traveling, and all things Southern!!
Brownstone BWell: Brownstone Healthcare has partnered with the City of Birmingham to offer primary care services to the employees of the City of Birmingham for $0 copayment. This partnership is for preventative services & screenings and sick visits. We partner with your current primary care physician and our goal is to keep you out of the ER and urgent care. We do not share your information with the City of Birmingham. We uphold HIPPA and professional standards. You can visit us at our downtown location 1700 5th Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203 or Trussville: 4643 Camp Coleman Road #117 Trussville, AL 35173 205-202-5650 call for your appointment today.
