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PORTSMOUTH Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, with 1,230 new diagnoses in New Hampshire estimated only in 2018. However, there is a new opportunity to reverse this deadly disease. thanks to newly available lung cancer screening, which can diagnose the disease at an early stage, when it is most curable. During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the American Lung Association highlighted that lung cancer awareness is more important than ever, lung cancer screening can save lives that can save thousands of lives .
Screening for the disease can make all the difference and if lung cancer is detected before it spreads, the probability of survival of five years or more increases to 56%, "said Jeff Seyler, director of the division of the American Lung Association. "We need to make sure people know about lung cancer and its risk factors, and talk to their doctor if they are concerned about their risk."
According to the Lung Association, if the 8 million eligible Americans were selected, about 25,000 lives would be saved. Although testing is free in Medicare and in most insurance plans, less than five percent of eligible people are currently doing so. Screening is recommended for those who meet the following criteria:
• you are between 55 and 80 years old and currently smoke or have quit smoking in the last 15 years and have smoked the equivalent of 30 "pack years" (1 pack per day for 30 years, 2 packs for 15 years, etc.);
Through its LUNG FORCE initiative, the American Lung Association is working to raise awareness of this new screening, including through a partnership with Ad Council as part of the first "Saved By The Scan" public awareness campaign. . This campaign encourages former smokers to talk to their doctor about their risk and respond to an online eligibility questionnaire at SavedByTheScan.org/quiz. The "Saved By The Scan" eligibility questionnaire has helped more than 137,000 Americans better understand their risk of lung cancer.
As lung cancer screening is relatively new, to ensure that all eligible people are aware of screening, but also have access to screening, the Lung Association has partnered with the American Thoracic Society to launch the Cancer Screening Guide. implementation of lung cancer screening. The guide helps hospitals and community-based health systems implement lung cancer screening programs, which will encourage access to screening that will save the lives of eligible individuals, regardless of where they live.
"We want to make sure everyone who qualifies for screening knows that it is an option and that they can access screening in their communities," said Lee Gilman, senior director of health promotion at American Lung. New Hampshire Association. "We are at a crucial time to fight this disease and we are working to spread the word about screening because it literally saves many lives."
Despite the promise of screening, the Lung Association continues to push for better treatment options and new methods for early detection of the disease, noting that screening is currently only recommended for some current and former smokers, but that there are various risk factors. associated with lung cancer, including exposure to radon, second-hand smoke and air pollution, as well as genetic factors and sometimes to the causes of lung cancer are unknown.
"To finally defeat lung cancer, we must fight all risk factors and continue to invest in lung cancer research funding," said Gilman. "Since 2014, the Lung Association's investments in lung cancer research have increased by 160% and we will continue to press for more research, progress and awareness to be threatened until lung cancer is over. "
Visit Lung.org/lung-cancer to learn more about lung cancer, share your experiences with the disease, and support lung cancer research. To get involved with the American Lung Association in New Hampshire, check out the annual Cycle the Seacoastcycling event in Portsmouth on May 5, 2019.
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