SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in California, accounting for more deaths than colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. In an effort to save lives from this disease, the State Legislature passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution 196 last July to designate November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Saturday, November 9th, as Lung Cancer Screening Day. The resolution, co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the American Lung Association (ALA), recognizes the need to raise awareness and promote early detection.
As part of the observance, some healthcare systems across the state will hold special events dedicated to screening eligible individuals. Cancer advocates and legislators will also be educating communities about lung cancer screening and providing resources to help people quit tobacco use.
“By shining a light on this pressing health issue, we empower Californians to take charge of their health and encourage life-saving screenings. Together, we can reduce the disparities in lung cancer outcomes and save lives across our communities,” said Asm. Tri Ta (R-Westminster), who introduced the resolution.
If lung cancer is caught early, before it has spread, it is more likely to be treated successfully. Unfortunately, California has the lowest lung cancer screening rates in the nation, leading to more later-stage diagnoses compared to other states.
“Lung cancer symptoms, such as a cough that does not go away or gets worse, might not appear until the disease is at an advanced stage. It is vital that people at higher risk talk to their doctor about getting screened even when they do not show any signs or symptoms,” said Dr. Luis Godoy, American Cancer Society volunteer and thoracic surgeon at UC Davis Health.
People between 50 and 80 years who currently smoke or have smoked in the past are considered at higher risk. They may be eligible to be screened for lung cancer with a non-invasive yearly low-dose CT scan that is covered by most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal.
Certain racial/ethnic groups have more late-stage lung cancer diagnoses because of differences in risk factor exposure (such as tobacco use) and access to care. American Indians and Black Californians have the highest incidence of lung cancer, as well as the highest mortality rate from lung cancer.
Individuals who use commercial tobacco products are strongly encouraged to quit. Smoking is linked to at least twelve types of cancers, including lung, liver and colorectal cancers.
“The tobacco industry has specifically targeted people of color, limited-income communities, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and youth, causing a disproportionate use of tobacco among these populations. We urge lawmakers to pass evidence-based tobacco control policies, such as comprehensive smoke-free laws. Reducing tobacco use and saving lives from tobacco-related diseases requires them to act,” said Robert Park, ACS CAN California Government Relations Director.
Free tobacco cessation resources can be found at KeepItSacred.org (for American Indian and Alaska Native populations), Amplify.Love (for Black communities), KickItCA.org (in English and Spanish) and AsianSmokersQuitline.org (in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese).
Visit Cancer.org/LungCancer for information on lung cancer screening and GetScreened.cancer.org for screening locations.