Lung Cancer takes more lives than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. Lung cancer is associated with a high fatality rate because patients typically receive a late diagnosis when surgery is no longer an option. According to Mary Reid, MSPH, PhD, Director of Cancer Screening and Survivorship at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Professor of Oncology in the Department of Medicine, Roswell Park hopes to decrease the lung cancer fatality rate by making the public aware of its advanced lung cancer screening and treatment programs.
This past November, during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Roswell Park hosted its seventh annual Breath of Life Celebration. Roswell Park oncologists, physicians and support staff gave presentations highlighting the most recent advances in lung cancer treatment, diagnosis and screening. Roswell Park staff set-up informational tables so that attendees could learn more about psychosocial support, smoking cessation, nutritional information and screening guidelines. Testimonials were given by those who have fought and survived lung cancer.
The goal of the Breath of Life Celebration is to bring lung cancer into the realm of other cancers, such as breast and prostate, so that with an early diagnosis, patients can be treated effectively and live long and productive lives.
Early detection is important for those at risk. Lung cancer is not only caused by smoking. It can be caused by exposure to asbestos or other toxins and chemicals, such as air pollution, diesel fumes, radon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (from coke production or coal tar pitch), silica, beryllium, cadmium and other minerals and chemical compounds.
Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC, has been the proud sponsor of Breath of Life Celebration since 2012.