Lung Cancer Awareness, 2011

The month of November is both Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and this blog will focus on lung cancer awareness. Anyone who has fought cancer or known someone with cancer understands how devastating it can be, and the statistics for lung cancer are pretty staggering. In the United States, lung cancer is the “leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States,” and is responsible for one in three cancer deaths. As of 2009, it kills an average of 437 people daily. Making healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking can seriously reduce the risk of getting lung cancer, as can regular checkups at the doctor's office. The Lung Cancer Alliance emphasizes the importance of early detection, which increases the 10-year survival rate to 92%. Perhaps this seems like nothing but numbers and redundant advice that you've heard many times before. But because this is the month for awareness, we here at the BBAV encourage you to support those in the fight against lung cancer. While we are a group that delights in travel and vacation, we cannot forget those who are unable to partake in these activities due to their illness. And so we remember them with our support, our thoughts, and our prayers as they face an uncertain future.