November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

acknowledged November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month Nov. 9.

Commissioner Lee Janiczek presented a proclaimation to Marge Franke, a nurse at Delaware County Memorial Hospital, who works with lung cancer patients.

Janiczek read the following lung cancer facts from the proclamation:

• Lung cancer is the leading killer in the United States with patients only given a 15 percent chance of surviving five years
• Almost 220,000 new cases are diagnosed each year
• About 15 percent of lung cancer cases occur in people who have never smoked and over 40 percent in those who formerly smoked.
• Lung cancer patients account for 27 percent of the total yearly cancer deaths, outnumbering breast, prostate and colon cancer deaths combined yet funding for lung cancer research falls behind that for other cancers
• The National Lung Cancer Partnership, the only lung cancer organization funded by physicians and researchers, working together with survivors and advocates, is dedicated to decreasing deaths due to lung cancer and helping patients live longer, better lives through research awareness and encouragement.

The American Cancer Society marks the 36th Great American Smokeout, to encourage smokers to quit, Nov. 17, 2011.

Tools and resources are available from the American Cancer Society online and by calling 1-800-227-2345.