Lung Health Month & Veteran’s Day: A Call to Action for Veteran Lung Health Awareness

This November, in recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Veterans Day on November 11, the American Lung Association is spotlighting the critical need for lung health awareness and prevention, particularly among military Veterans. The Lung Association is also offering four essential tips to help Veterans improve lung health, prevent disease, and prioritize care.

Lung health remains a major concern within the Veteran community, as many Veterans face heightened risks due to service-related tobacco use, occupational hazards, and environmental exposures. Respiratory diseases are a prominent health issue for veterans, with the Department of Veterans Affairs diagnosing approximately 7,700 cases of lung cancer annually among Veterans and an estimated 900,000 at risk due to factors like age, smoking, and environmental conditions. In 2023, 55% of Veterans had ever smoked, compared to 32% of civilians, underscoring the need for increased lung health awareness and preventive care.

"Lung health has historically been impacted by high smoking rates among Veterans," says Joel Nations, MD, Volunteer Spokesperson for the American Lung Association; Pulmonologist, Washington DC VA Medical Center. “This is especially true for military personnel during deployment, though many Veterans reduce smoking or quit altogether after leaving the service. However, their history of smoking keeps them at elevated risk for lung cancer. The most important steps are to avoid smoking, quit if you do smoke, and get screened if you’re at high risk."

To support Veterans, the American Lung Association recommends four key steps to enhance lung health:

1. Get Regular Check-ups. Regular check-ups help prevent diseases, even when you are feeling well. This is especially true for lung disease, which sometimes goes undetected until its serious. During a check-up, your healthcare provider will listen to your breathing and concerns.

2. Quit Smoking. The American Lung Association encourages people who smoke, vape, or use tobacco to quit during Lung Health Month. Tobacco remains the top cause of preventable death in the U.S., and e-cigarettes are not a safe or effective way to quit. Visit Lung.org/Quit-Smoking or call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) for resources. Many health insurance plans cover quit aids and counseling, and open enrollment is available until January 15, 2025, in most states. More info at www.lung.org/openenrollment.

3. Take the Quiz. In the U.S. 14 million people, many of them veterans, are at high risk for lung cancer and should be screened. If you smoked, the low-dose CT lung cancer screening test could save your life. Early detection significantly increases the chance of survival. Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths, is more treatable when caught early—survival rates increase by more than four times. If you're aged 50-80 and smoke or have quit within the past 15 years, you may be eligible for screening. Take the 2-minute quiz at SavedByTheScan.org to find out.

4. Limit exposure to harmful substances. If possible, avoid environments with levels of air pollution, chemical fumes, and other lung irritants and be sure to test your home for radon, (the second leading cause of lung cancer) and mitigate if high levels are detected.

Additionally, on November 19, the American Lung Association will release its seventh annual State of Lung Cancer report, which shows the toll ln cancer takes on each state in the country. The report examines new case rates, survival rates, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, access to care, and biomarker testing, and highlights opportunities for states and the federal government to act in the effort to end lung cancer.

Through these efforts, the Lung Association aims to help Veterans, and all Americans improve lung health and reduce the impact of lung disease in their communities.