Lung Cancer Awareness Month is right around the corner. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. One in five of all cancer deaths are from lung cancer. Each year more people die from lung cancer than colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer together. Estimates are there will be over 200,000 new cases of lung cancer this year and well over 100,000 deaths from the disease.
November has been designated as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. This month shines a spotlight on lung cancer, both the devastating effects of the disease, as well as the new hope for early detection, treatment and even cure. Toward these ends, organizations around the country, including the ACS, the American Lung Association, and the American Association for Cancer Research, are sponsoring programs and holding events in November. These initiatives hope to raise awareness and raise money to fight lung cancer, as well as to educate individuals most at risk for the disease on the benefits of finding lung cancer early.
One of these events, National Lung Cancer Screening Day, will be held on Saturday November 9th. This event, sponsored by organizations including the ACS and the National Lung Cancer Round Table, is designed to raise awareness of the importance of lung cancer screening and early detection, as well as to increase access to screening for all Americans. There is no question that catching cancer early saves lives. Lung cancer caught at its earliest stage has a cure rate that can be higher than 90%.
At Doran and Murphy, we have represented thousands of railroad workers who have been exposed to asbestos in their work. Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens can be used as a factor in determining what kinds of lung cancer screening may be necessary for certain individuals. That is why we have written many blogs about lung cancer and lung cancer screening and we have strongly encouraged our clients to be screened. If you or someone you know is a railroad worker and has been exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust or other cancer-causing agents, you should talk to your doctor about lung cancer screening. If you already have lung cancer, call us to discuss your rights as a railroad worker.
