Lowering Your Risk for Lung Cancer

November 4, 2024

Did you know that lung cancer is more deadly than breast, colon, and prostate cancer combined? In the US, Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer-related deaths.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and the NYCDCC Welfare Fund is sharing resources with our members so they can learn more about this disease. We encourage you to share this information with your fellow members, family, and community.

Lung Cancer Risk Factors
The major risk factor for lung cancer is smoking and exposure to any kind of tobacco product. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering, 8 in 10 people with lung cancer got it from smoking. Vaping poses many of the same health risks as smoking cigarettes, including lung damage.

Another risk factor associated with lung cancer is breathing in dangerous substances, such as machine exhaust, asbestos, and radon.

Lung Cancer Prevention
If you are a smoker, the healthiest thing you can do for your lungs is to quit smoking. Quitting smoking has both immediate and long-term health benefits. We encourage our members who smoke to seek safe, effective treatments to quit smoking.

If possible, avoid indoor and outdoor pollutants. There are many construction respirators available to fit your specific needs and keep your breathing safe.

Exercise can help keep your lungs strong. Walking, jogging, running, and taking the stairs for 30 minutes, 5 days a week can improve your health and strengthen your lungs.

Get a physical exam every year. You and your doctor can monitor your breathing and any changes.

Lung Cancer Screening
Our partners at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) recommend you get screened for lung cancer if you are between the ages of 50 and 80 and are currently a smoker, or have quit smoking in the past 15 years.

To learn more about Lung Cancer Screenings, and to take a two-minute quiz to see if you are eligible for a Lung Cancer Screening, visit https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/risk-assessment-screening/screening/lung

About MSK Direct
The NYCDCC Welfare Fund partners with Memorial Sloan Kettering to offer MSK Direct, a program that gives you guided access to expert cancer care. They provide resources and support throughout your care experience. To learn more screenings, as well as other cancer care related topics, visit the MSK Direct website for the NYCDCC Welfare Fund at www.mskcc.org/nycdcc. If you or a loved one are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options available at MSK, please call the dedicated MSK Direct phone line for the NYCDCC Welfare Fund at (833) 786-3368.