World Lung Cancer Day is celebrated as awareness day about this deadly disease. 2016 cancer statistics shows lung cancer still as number one killer cancer, far ahead of Live and Breast cancer. Smoking is still number one cause of lung cancer in the world.
A lot has been achieved, but a lot more needs to be done to decrease the mortality rate. World Lung Cancer Day is a day to Celebrate, Commemorate & Support the people affected by Lung Cancer.
Lung cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This uncontrolled growth may lead to cells invading surrounding tissues or spreading to the organs outside the lungs.
According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and is responsible for nearly one in five cancer deaths. In fact, it claims more lives yearly than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
220,000 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015 globally. And over half of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer die within in one of that finding.
Lung cancer is a preventable disease so with proper awareness it can be prevented. For this, the global campaign aims to raise awareness about lung cancer, its global impact and create an educational movement of understanding lung cancer risks, as well as early treatment across the world.
World Lung Cancer Day, August 1st
World Lung Cancer Day 2016 is on August 1. It is marked on the event calendar as World Lung Cancer Day. This day is conceived by lung cancer survivor Betsy Thompson and supported throughout movement of patients and family members. This day honors those who have or had lung cancer.
Over 40 declarations recognizing August 1 as World Lung Cancer Day have been issued by US states and cities, and over 20 countries recognize the day. World Lung Cancer Day highlights many risk factors to be aware of in order to detect lung cancer at the initial stage. Worldwide cancer centers, health groups & organizations recognize & celebrate World Lung Cancer Day.
While most understand that smoking is the single greatest risk factor for lung cancer, other lesser known risk factors include environment and genetics. Environmental exposure to radon, asbestos, arsenic, beryllium and uranium have all been linked to lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer also increases with a history of cancer in another part of the body, age, family history, radiation to the chest area and lung diseases like COPD. So it is the need of time to create awareness also about possible factors behind lungs cancer about which we don’t care mostly.
Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS)
The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) is an International organization. It is comprised of the world’s leading international respiratory societies. They all are working together to improve lung health globally. These organizations include American Thoracic Society (ATS), American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), Asociación Latinoamericana De Tórax (ALAT), Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), European Respiratory Society (ERS), International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseasis (The Union) and the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS).
The forum’s main goal is to unify and enhance efforts in order to improve lung health. They are doing so with the help of combined work of its more than 70,000 members globally. In recognition of World Lung Cancer Day on August 1, Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) has launched it’s World Lung Cancer Day 2016 campaign and its title is Honor, Unite, Inspire campaign.
The purpose of this global campaign is to raise awareness about lung cancer, its global impact. Another aim of this campaign is to create an educational movement of understanding lung cancer risks, as well as early treatment across the world. Awareness about early treatment for this disease is as important as about disease itself , by bearing this fact in mind, FIRS is giving importance to create awareness about it also. Below is and excellent Lung Cancer Infographics image developed by American College of Chest Physicians for diagnosis and management of lung cancer:
Lung Cancer Day Activities 2016
Like FIRS, ERS is also committed to raising awareness of lung cancer, improving treatment as well as supporting research. Both organizations are working side by side actually. In 2016, ERS has published a white paper that contains details about new recommendations for lung cancer screening programs, new guidelines for combined endobronchial and oesophageal mediastinal nodal staging of lung cancer.
ERS along with FIRS has the plans for 2016 i.e. a live endoscopy session and bring together a great range of experts from the disciplines, skills as well as from research areas associated with lung cancer. 1st August will build on the activities of the ERS Thoracic Oncology Assembly throughout the year such as the Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer seminar and the annual Lung Science Conference which will next take place in March 2016.
