Lung Cancer Awareness Month: 3 Actions to Take to Help End Lung Cancer

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Lung Association in North Carolina is raising awareness, promoting lifesaving lung cancer screening and raising money for critical research to end this devastating disease.

“Every two minutes, a person in the U.S. learns they have lung cancer. But there is hope. Thanks to increased awareness and advancements in detection and treatment, the survival rate has increased by 44% in the past decade,” said Juleidy Turnipseed, MPAS, PAC, member of the Lung Association’s North Carolina Leadership Board and thoracic oncology surgical physician assistant and director, Thoracic Oncology Program Services, Novant Health. “This November, we’re encouraging our community to take three small actions to help save lives and end lung cancer.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Anyone can get the disease.

Here are three actions everyone can take to make a difference during Lung Cancer Awareness Month:

• Check if you or a loved one are eligible for lung cancer screening. Lung cancer screening is key to saving lives because it detects lung cancer early when it is more likely to be curable. Yet only 7.1% of high-risk North Carolinians were screened. Take the 2-minute quiz at SavedByTheScan.org.
• Test your home for radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It is a colorless and odorless gas that can seep into buildings and has been found in high amounts in homes in every state. Fortunately, radon testing is easy and low cost, and it could save your life. Learn more at Lung.org/Radon.
• Join our movement of lung health advocates. The Lung Association has several upcoming opportunities to stand against lung cancer and create a healthier North Carolina.
  • NC Community Connections: Navigating Lung Cancer, November 7 – This free educational webinar will feature leading experts in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. Attendees can submit questions to be answered during the webinar. This event is presented by Novant Health.
  • NC Community Connections: Lung Cancer Patient Identification, Screening, and Biomarker Testing, November 20 – Local medical providers are invited to join this event at Heist Brewery NoDa to discuss the latest in lung cancer diagnosis, challenges and best practices. The event, presented by AstraZeneca, will feature an expert panel, Q&As and networking. Space is limited. Please RSVP.
  • Fight For Air Climb Charlotte, March 29, 2025 – The premier stair-climbing event in Charlotte will return to the VUE. Join with friends, family and colleagues for a fun, celebratory event full of hope and positivity. Funds raised support the Lung Association’s lifesaving research, education and advocacy here in North Carolina and beyond.