November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung cancer awareness month exists to spread education and resources about lung cancer prevention and risks. Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and remains the leading cause of cancer death in Dallas County. Lung cancer usually doesn't cause signs and symptoms in the early stages, signs typically show up when the disease is advanced.

Know your risk factors

• Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer
• Lung cancer also can be caused by using other types of tobacco (such as pipes or cigars)
• Breathing secondhand smoke
• Being exposed to substances such as asbestos or radon at home or work
• Having a family history of lung cancer.

Should I be screened?

Lung cancer screenings are recommended for adults who meet all of the following:

• Are 50-80 years old
• Have a smoking history of 20 packs or more a year
• Currently smoke or quit smoking within the last 15 years

Parkland has an Adult Smoking Cessation Program that is offered at seven of Parkland’s Community Oriented Primary Care health centers (COPCs).

• Bluitt-Flowers Health Center
• deHaro-Saldivar Health Center
• Garland Health Center
• Hatcher Station Health Center
• Irving Health Center
• Southeast Dallas Health Center
• E. Carlyle Smith, Jr. Health Center

if you, or someone you know needs help quitting, contact Parkland’s smoking cessation program at 214-590-5691.

For more information and resources on lung cancer resources visit www.cancer.parklandhealth.org