During the month of November, CHEST displayed white ribbons around its headquarters in Glenview, Illinois, to raise awareness for lung cancer screening and early detection.

According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer kills more people yearly than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined, and there are 2.1 million lung cancer cases worldwide. The risk of death can be drastically reduced through early detection of cancer and appropriate treatment.

“Lung Cancer Awareness Month was an opportunity for us to shine the spotlight on a disease that is impacting the lives of so many,” said Robert Musacchio, PhD, CEO of CHEST. “As a society of 22,000 respiratory professionals, we continuously provide the latest resources to our members, including the latest guidelines for lung cancer screening. Leveraging the awareness month, we wanted to spread the message throughout our local community that the best way to combat lung cancer is through early screening and detection.”

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To identify and diagnose lung cancer in its earlier stages, it is recommended to seek lung cancer screening with a low-dose tomography scan (also known as low-dose CT or LDCT scan). Individuals who meet the below criteria are considered to be at high risk for developing lung cancer and should be screened:

• 50 to 80 years of age;
• have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (one pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, etc.); or
• currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years.

To secure the ribbons, CHEST worked with an organization called the White Ribbon Project, which promotes awareness about lung cancer by changing public perception of the disease. Started by lung cancer survivor Heidi Onda and her husband, Pierre Onda, MD, the white ribbon initiative has spurred a movement to build community, reframe education, increase awareness, and remove the stigma against lung cancer.

“We are grateful for the advocacy and support of the American College of Chest Physicians in raising awareness for lung cancer,” Ms. Onda said. “We believe as a team of survivors, caregivers, those who have lost loved ones, advocates, the medical and science communities, industry representatives, advocacy organizations, legislators, and cancer centers that we can change the public perception of lung cancer. Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, no one deserves it, and awareness and early detection of the disease are crucial.”