Who Gets Lung Cancer?
Lung Cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in Black men and women and the leading cause of cancer-related Black deaths. More than 25,000 Black people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. A history of smoking cigarettes is the most important risk factor for getting lung cancer. However, not everyone with lung cancer smokes or has smoked.
What Can I Do About It?
Lung cancer is a serious problem, but there ARE things YOU can do.
1. Stop smoking
- Smoking is the greatest risk factor for getting lung cancer
- Heavy smokers lower their risk of lung cancer by 39.1% within 5 years of quitting.
2. Lung Screening
- The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) showed a 20% lower rate of dying from lung cancer in people who received lung screening with low dose CT of the chest
- Black participants in the NLST had an even greater reduction in lung cancer deaths with lung screening