Lung Cancer Survivors, Researchers and Advocates Unite to Launch Awareness Campaign

"We celebrate these achievements," says lung cancer survivor and patient advocate Dusty Donaldson, co-chair of the Lung Cancer Action Network (LungCAN); "however, we cannot rest on our laurels. Lung cancer remains the number one cancer killer—claiming more lives than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. In light of the fact that lung cancer is the least funded of all major cancers makes this situation a national—and international—travesty."

Panelists covered scientific progress in lung cancer, legislative initiatives, changing hearts and minds about lung cancer, radon legislation, research advances and hope for lung cancer patients. Moderated by Donaldson, Panelists included the following:

• Laurie Fenton Ambrose, President & CEO, Lung Cancer Alliance
• Paul Billings, Senior VP of Advocacy, American Lung Association
• John FP Bridges, PhD, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Melissa Culligan, RN, MS, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Director of Clinical Research, Chair, International Thoracic Oncology Nursing Forum
• Andrea Ferris, CEO, LUNGevity
• Dr. Fred Hirsch, MD; CEO, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
• Kyle Hoylman, President, Cancer Survivors Against Radon (CanSAR)
• Jennifer King, PhD, Director of Science and Research, Lung Cancer Alliance
• K Latzka, Survivor & Advocate – Co-Organizer of Life & Breath Rally
• David LeDuc, CEO, Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
• Montessa Lee, Survivor and Advocate
• Jackie Nixon, Survivor and Advocate

"We want the public to understand that anyone can get lung cancer," says Donaldson. "Today's event helped diminish lung cancer's stimaga and inspire hope."

For more information about Lung Cancer Awareness Month, visit www.LCAM.org.

Lung Cancer Facts

• Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer worldwide.
• Approximately 158,000 people in the U.S. will die from lung cancer in 2017.
• Every day, 433 Americans die from lung cancer.
• This year, an estimated 224,390 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed.
• The five-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 18 percent.
• When detected early, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is 55 percent.
• The majority of people with lung cancer die within one year of being diagnosed.
• Screening people at high risk for lung cancer can dramatically improve survival rates.
• Screening high-risk individuals with low-dose CT scans could reduce lung cancer mortality by 20 percent compared to chest X-ray.
• At least 8.6 million Americans qualify as high risk for lung cancer and are recommended to receive annual screening with low-dose CT scans.
• If half of those at high risk were screened, more than 13,000 deaths could be prevented.

SOURCE Lung Cancer Action Network