Lung Cancer :: It’s Not What You Think

November is one of my favorite times of the year. I can’t wait for Thanksgiving dinner — mainly because I’m not cooking it. Most of my Thanksgiving holidays are spent at my grandparent’s house — eating turkey, dressing, ham and rice, while looking over the Black Friday sale papers. I love the family time and togetherness the holiday brings.

But not everyone feels this way around the holidays. Often times this time of year can bring about feelings of loneliness and longing for those who are no longer with us. I am painfully reminded of this as we spend our first Thanksgiving without my husband’s aunt, Carol, who passed away last month from lung cancer.

Carol wasn’t the type of person you would think would get lung cancer. She never smoked. But that didn’t leave her — or anyone — immune to the disease.

Surprisingly, an estimated 18% of people with lung cancer have never smoked. Another surprising fact is it kills almost TWICE as many women than any other cancer. And even more surprising, more people DIE of lung cancer than breast, ovarian and cervical cancer combined. As the second leading cause of death in the United States, these statistics are concerning. Lung cancer is treatable, but unfortunately in most cases the cancer has already spread by the time the patient is diagnosed. Early detection is very important.

If you had signs and symptoms of lung cancer, would you know?

Some Symptoms of Lung Cancer

• Coughing up blood or a cough that doesn’t go away
• Recurrent Bronchitis or Pneumonia
• Harsh sounds with each breath also known as stridor
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Coughing up mucous and blood tinged mucous
• Change in the voice or being hoarse

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please contact your family doctor. You can find a more comprehensive list of symptoms here.

Ways to Support and Help Raise Awareness Locally

Lung cancer claims a shocking number of lives each year, yet is one of the most underfunded cancers in terms of research dollars per death of all major cancers. YOU can help make a difference by supporting and helping raise awareness for this devastating disease — right here in Columbia.

Shine A Light Event

The National Shine A Light on lung cancer vigil is a nationwide campaign where people can share stories of survival and remember loved ones while illuminating glow sticks. The event also helps recognize November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Shine A Light is the largest coordinated event for lung cancer awareness in the United States. This years local Shine A Light event will be hosted by the Christopher Conner Foundation on November 5 at The Hall at Senate’s End.

Christopher Conner Foundation

Christopher Cary Conner was a native of Lexington, SC and an accomplished musician and songwriter. He was a loving son, bother, husband and father who lost his battle with lung cancer at the young age of 36. The Christopher Conner Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 foundation that operates for charitable, cultural and educational purposes. The foundation supports local musicians with educational and medical assistance and provides healing through music for children and adults in need. His brother Brian founded another local band called Villanova and they are very talented.

Lung cancer affects so many people … many more people than we realize … and unfortunately, many more to come. By raising awareness and offering support, we can help make strides towards lowering the alarmingly high statistics and hopefully find a cure for this devastating disease.