Time to make a difference

In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, many of us missed an important event — Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Luckily, every month is a good time to spread the word about preventing cancer. We often hear about breast cancer and prostate cancer, but one type of cancer that deserves some extra attention is lung cancer. I know it’s hard to believe, but this deadly disease claims the lives of more people than breast, prostate, colon, liver, and kidney cancers and melanoma combined! Despite these sobering statistics, we’ve seen some good news in preventing lung cancer.  Rates have started to decline among men and are now holding steady in women. Yet the death toll from lung cancer remains alarmingly high. In Iowa alone, 2,290 people were diagnosed with lung cancer last year.  This terrible disease also claimed the lives of 1,750 Iowans during that same time period.  Lung cancer is hard to detect, so it’s important we do what we can to prevent the disease.  Healthy lifestyles that include exercise and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables are a good start. The most important prevention tactic is avoiding tobacco. Tobacco use is related to 80 percent of lung cancer cases. Please allow me to share a story about a staff member of Chuck’s. Mary Jo was on the staff in Washington, D.C. before moving back to Iowa with her husband and children. Less than a year ago, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Although her father smoked as she was growing up, Mary Jo herself never did. Now you can often hear her telling others to think about what they might be doing to their kids. Mary Jo has been fighting this horrible disease everyday since her diagnosis. Her positive attitude and faith is an inspiration to Chuck and me and her many friends and family. We know she’s going to beat this. Mary Jo is one of the 13 percent of all cases who has never smoked. It’s why all of us should learn to recognize the symptoms. A nagging cough was the only symptom she had. Be sure to see your doctor if you’ve got a persistent cough; constant chest pain; shortness of breath; recurring pneumonia or bronchitis; unusual or unexplained fatigue; swelling and redness of the neck or face; or loss of appetite and loss of weight. She’s permitted me to tell her story because she understands how important it is to spread the word and to remain vigilant in the fight against cancer. We can all make a difference.