Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Personalized Cause® marks this month with pearl awareness ribbon pins, available in both personalized and non-personalized versions. We also offer KNOW MORE® wristbands and bulk pearl fabric ribbons. Each item helps spread awareness and honor those we have lost to lung cancer.
Pearl and White Ribbons for Awareness
We also feature a pearl and white awareness ribbon pin. This ribbon comes in both personalized and non-personalized versions. It represents lung cancer that develops from causes other than smoking, such as passive smoke or radon exposure. By raising awareness with these pins, we aim to support those affected and fund research for every form of lung cancer.
The Impact of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and worldwide. It takes more lives in the U.S. than colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers combined. These numbers highlight the urgent need for continued awareness, prevention, and research. Wearing a pearl ribbon pin is a small but powerful way to show support.
Lung Cancer Statistics to Know During Lung Cancer Awareness Month
In 2021, an estimated 235,760 people were diagnosed with lung and bronchus cancer. Sadly, 131,880 patients died of the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute’s SEER Program. Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
Causes and Risk Factors
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Nearly nine out of ten lung cancers are linked to cigarette use. Other risk factors include secondhand smoke, family history, and radiation therapy to the chest. Workplace exposure to asbestos, chromium, nickel, arsenic, soot, and tar also increase risk. Radon, an invisible gas, causes about 21,000 deaths each year. Combined risks, such as smoking with environmental exposure, increase the chance of developing lung cancer.
Smoking and Prevention
Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other cancer. Prevention starts with avoiding cigarettes. If you smoke, quitting lowers your risk dramatically. Free resources are available at smokefree.gov or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Educate yourself about tools that can help you become tobacco-free.
Types of Lung Cancer
There are two main types of lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is strongly tied to smoking and usually treated with chemotherapy. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of cases. Subtypes include adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Each subtype grows and spreads differently.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Many patients show no symptoms until the disease advances. Warning signs include:
Persistent cough
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Coughing up blood
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Other signs include repeated pneumonia and swollen lymph nodes in the chest. These symptoms can mimic other illnesses. Talk to your doctor if you notice them.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke, or passive smoking, is deadly. People exposed to it face a 20–30% higher risk of lung cancer. Children are especially vulnerable. They face increased risks of asthma, infections, allergies, and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Protect loved ones by keeping homes and cars smoke-free.
Radon and Lung Cancer
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas. It seeps into homes and causes thousands of lung cancer deaths each year, even in non-smokers. The only way to detect radon is through testing. Affordable kits are widely available.
Raising Lung Cancer Awareness with Pearl Ribbons
Pearl and pearl-and-white awareness ribbons honor lung cancer patients and raise awareness about its causes. Personalized Cause® offers pins, KNOW MORE® wristbands, and fabric ribbons to support education and funding. Personalized or non-personalized, each ribbon carries a message of hope and remembrance.
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