The Air We Breathe
November is Lung Cancer Awareness month. It is the second most common type of cancer in this country and more Americans die of Lung Cancer than any other type of cancer. So where are the walks, races, research dollars, ribbons and legions of supporters?
According to the National Cancer Institute, the estimated new cases of Lung Cancer in 2010 are 222,520 and the estimated number of deaths is 157,300. The known risk factors for Lung Cancer include tobacco use, second hand smoke, and exposure to Radon gas, Asbestos, and air pollution. But like all cancers, the reason some people get it and others don’t, remains in many cases a mystery. 15% of people diagnosed with Lung Cancer have never smoked. After over 17 years as an Oncology Nurse, what I know about cancer comes down to this; cancer is unfair, inconvenient, expensive and cruel.
I believe with all my heart and every single brain cell that cigarettes should be illegal. If the State of New York can make a law enforcing the use of seat belts, then why can’t we do something about tobacco use? Changing the packaging labels is not enough. I'm not so naive that I think it will be simple. 21% of Americans smoke cigarettes. The sale of cigarettes brings in a lot of tax dollars and the pro-tobacco lobbyists are very powerful. On the other hand, the health care dollars spent on tobacco related diseases is massive and TOBACCO KILLS people. I don’t want to hear about personal choice, about how they are not hurting anybody but themselves and their right to smoke. What gives people the right to pollute our air with their smoke and use this earth as an ash tray? Nothing irritates me more than seeing people throw their butts out the car window or seeing adults smoking in a car with children present.
Very little is said about Lung Cancer. Studies show that people with lung cancer get less support and empathy than other cancer patients. As common as it is, it is not surprising it doesn’t get the attention that Breast Cancer Awareness does in October. Cigarette smoking is a “dirty” addiction and the unspoken belief is that people who smoke deserve to get lung cancer and that people who get Lung Cancer must have smoked. Even lung cancer patients who smoked will tell you it’s their own fault. No one deserves to suffer. Lung Cancer patients deserve the same amount of care, empathy, research dollars and support as everyone else. The ribbon for lung cancer is white or clear with a gold border. Wear it with empathy for those who are suffering and hope that we can someday clear the air of cigarette smoke. Wear it in support of research to find effective, tolerable treatments. And please wear it on November 18, 2010 for The Great American Smokeout.
According to the National Cancer Institute, the estimated new cases of Lung Cancer in 2010 are 222,520 and the estimated number of deaths is 157,300. The known risk factors for Lung Cancer include tobacco use, second hand smoke, and exposure to Radon gas, Asbestos, and air pollution. But like all cancers, the reason some people get it and others don’t, remains in many cases a mystery. 15% of people diagnosed with Lung Cancer have never smoked. After over 17 years as an Oncology Nurse, what I know about cancer comes down to this; cancer is unfair, inconvenient, expensive and cruel.
I believe with all my heart and every single brain cell that cigarettes should be illegal. If the State of New York can make a law enforcing the use of seat belts, then why can’t we do something about tobacco use? Changing the packaging labels is not enough. I'm not so naive that I think it will be simple. 21% of Americans smoke cigarettes. The sale of cigarettes brings in a lot of tax dollars and the pro-tobacco lobbyists are very powerful. On the other hand, the health care dollars spent on tobacco related diseases is massive and TOBACCO KILLS people. I don’t want to hear about personal choice, about how they are not hurting anybody but themselves and their right to smoke. What gives people the right to pollute our air with their smoke and use this earth as an ash tray? Nothing irritates me more than seeing people throw their butts out the car window or seeing adults smoking in a car with children present.
Very little is said about Lung Cancer. Studies show that people with lung cancer get less support and empathy than other cancer patients. As common as it is, it is not surprising it doesn’t get the attention that Breast Cancer Awareness does in October. Cigarette smoking is a “dirty” addiction and the unspoken belief is that people who smoke deserve to get lung cancer and that people who get Lung Cancer must have smoked. Even lung cancer patients who smoked will tell you it’s their own fault. No one deserves to suffer. Lung Cancer patients deserve the same amount of care, empathy, research dollars and support as everyone else. The ribbon for lung cancer is white or clear with a gold border. Wear it with empathy for those who are suffering and hope that we can someday clear the air of cigarette smoke. Wear it in support of research to find effective, tolerable treatments. And please wear it on November 18, 2010 for The Great American Smokeout.
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