Thursday, November 16, 2006

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

From the M.D. Anderson website:

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 174,000 new cases of lung cancer are expected to occur in 2007.

Lung cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Smoking is responsible for 87% of all lung cancer cases in the United States. Eliminating tobacco use is the key to reducing the impact of this disease.

Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lung grow and multiply uncontrollably, damaging surrounding tissue and interfering with the normal function of the lung.

The five-year survival rate for localized lung cancer is 50%, while the five year survival rate for lung cancer for all stages combined is 15%. Even though breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, since 1987, more women have died each year of lung cancer than from breast cancer.

3 comments:

Jen said...

. . . . it's a good thing I'm not a smoker . . . .

Welcome to the world of the blog! It's fun, exciting and brilliant! And, an awesome way to keep in touch with those whom are further away.

Good to hear from you again and see some pictures of the family. You all look well and happy!

WBWLR said...

Uh - oh! Now you're doing this thing! I thought we were too old for this stuff! I will look forward to seeing what you are up to at school and your new career.

Allison Horner said...

Believe it or not, Matt, most of the people I know that are bloggers are older than me.

Jen, good to hear from you again, too. Keep in touch!