Lung Cancer Awareness Month – Different from the Rest

Does it ever seem like there is always some sort of National Awareness Day/Week/Month going on? Just last month was Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month as well as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Along with Lung Cancer Awareness, November is also COPD Awareness Month and there may be more which this writer isn’t even aware of. It isn’t just a feeling – a review published in the American Journal of Public Health earlier this year stated that there are almost two-hundred awareness initiatives on the calendar of National Health Observances. This trend understandably triggers annoyance from people and as such, mockery of the trend isn’t hard to find.

To test this, we decided to conduct an internet search for the most ridiculous satirical awareness month one could think of. The first one that came to mind was “Zombie Rights Awareness” and lo and behold – May is designated as Zombie Awareness Month. It even received playful coverage in the Huffington Post.

While not a health-related cause, this example suggests that the glut of awareness initiatives may be diminishing their importance. So you may ask – is Lung Cancer Awareness Month necessary? Yes. Besides being the most deadly of all cancers, it also has the distinction of being the least funded research-wise and it is so misunderstood that people sometimes face unfair criticism after diagnosis.

The funding statistics are surprising. Based on numbers from the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society, almost three times more money was spent on breast cancer research than lung cancer research in 2014. A dollar to dollar comparison doesn’t give the full picture. To put things into further perspective – consider the money invested into research with respect to the number of fatalities from the four most deadly cancers. Estimates for 2015 indicate that $17,001.74 research dollars will be spent for every breast cancer fatality, $9259.26 on prostate cancer, $5,472.84 for colorectal cancer, compared with only $1,613.52 for each victim of lung cancer.

These figures aren’t meant to detract from the seriousness of other cancers but to give insight into the dire need for lung cancer research funding which is a major part of the mission of Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Think about how much of the fundraising spotlight shines on other cancers meanwhile lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined.

With this in mind, the American Lung Association has partnered with Cancer Treatment Centers of America to launch the Lung Force initiative to jump start funding. November 17^th is Lung Force Day and a fundraising drive is taking place between now and then. For every dollar donated on Lung Force Day, Cancer Treatment Centers of America will match it (up to $100,000). You can even pre-pay now so your donation receives the match. If you’re in the habit of making donations to charities, consider giving to a credible organization devoted to raising funds for lung cancer research. Even if this isn’t typically your style, consider making an exception. If part of your distaste for these awareness months is the inevitable ask for donations or if money is tight, you can also help by signing up to be a Social Ambassador and simply share online posts provided to you by Lung Force to help spread the word.

Another major goal of Lung Cancer Awareness Month is to erase the stigma associated with the disease. There’s no question, smoking tobacco products is the leading cause of cancer. While it’s maddening that many people still choose to smoke – it isn’t a sin that should be punishable by death. The reality is that many people take up smoking due to social, economic, and cultural factors which are not in their individual control. Furthermore, cigarettes have been designed to be addictive. It’s reported that smoking is more addictive than alcohol and quitting is as difficult as quitting heroin.

The stigma is so strong that some patients chose to forego treatment because they feel guilty for having done it to themselves. Former smokers make up the largest portion of lung cancer patients, at around 60%. They already recognized the error of their ways and overcame the difficult challenge of quitting – only to potentially lose the battle to lung cancer down the road. Meanwhile, non-smokers who have been diagnosed tell of getting sideways glances when they tell people of their prognosis, not the empathy they’d receive if they had another form of cancer. Regardless of someone’s history, they don’t deserve the indignation. Please consider this the next time you hear of someone’s lung cancer diagnosis and encourage others to do so as well. No amount of disapproval you may feel about their personal choices can compare to the agony they likely feel about the repercussions.

In an effort to help fight the stigma, please consider sharing your story with the American Lung Association. You can write about what you or your loved ones have experienced with lung cancer or even make a video. Speaking up will help to diminish taboos surrounding lung cancer. It’s time to take the stigma away.

The field of awareness campaigns may feel crowded but given the realities of lung cancer, this might be one awareness band wagon worth jumping on. At the very least, be patient with those who are trying to make a difference for a more than worthy cause, whatever it may be. It’s worth the fight. In the meantime, may we suggest saving your ire for “LOLodays” of “haha-lidays” – those made up and usually highly niched days such as Be Kind to a Lawyer Day or Color TV Day. Nothing against fun holidays but those are arguably more irksome.

Remember – you can double the impact of your gift if you make a donation for Lung Force Giving Day anytime between now and November 17^th.