November is Lung cancer and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Awareness Months. Lung cancer and COPD are serious diseases that affect the lungs.
- Lung cancer is a type of a cancer that starts in the lungs.
- COPD prevents airflow to the lungs, causing breathing problems.
Keep Your Lungs Healthy
Lower Your Risk for Lung Cancer, COPD, and Other Lung Diseases.
- Don’t Smoke. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and COPD in the U.S.
- Quit tobacco and nicotine use. For free help, call 1-800 QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669), visit QuitNowVirginia.org, or text READY to 34191.
- Avoid secondhand smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.
- Limit time in places with bad air quality.
Other steps to help prevent lung cancer:
- Reduce radon in your home, if needed. Get your home tested for radon and take steps to reduce the radon level if it’s high.
- Follow health and safety guidelines to avoid carcinogens (things that can cause cancer) at work.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have any of these symptoms:
- Frequent coughing or wheezing
- Shortness of breath doing everyday activities
- Trouble taking deep breaths.
- Excess phlegm or mucus
- Chest pain coughing up blood
- Feeling very tired all the time
- Weight loss with no know cause
Get screened for lung cancer yearly if:
- Have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history, and
- Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years and
- Are between 50 and 80 years old