The American Lung Association and its LUNG FORCE initiative is turning Mississippi turquoise during National Women’s Lung Health Week to raise awareness of the number one cancer killer of women in the U.S.
“This week we are turning Mississippi turquoise to raise awareness of the fact that anyone can get lung cancer, and no one deserves it,” said American Lung Association Director of Advocacy, Ashley Lyerly. “We’re are proud to stand with those facing the disease and raise funds to support new treatments and better methods of early detection so that we can save more lives.”
One of the reasons the disease is so deadly is because only 18 percent of lung cancer cases among women are diagnosed early when the disease is most curable. Women can arm themselves against lung cancer with information on risk factors and who might be eligible for screening. The Lung Association encourages everyone to learn about lung cancer and talk to their doctor if they are concerned about their risk.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating National Women’s Lung Health Week and to recognize five full years of impact for LUNG FORCE, said Lyerly. “Together, we have made important strides and rallied support for lung cancer education, awareness, and research. We need additional help from the residents of Mississippi this May as we continue our efforts to defeat the disease.”
Facts about lung cancer:
- Every five minutes, a woman in the U.S. is told that she has lung cancer.
- The rate of women being diagnosed with the disease has increased 87 percent in the last 41 years, and since the mid-1970s, lung cancer deaths among women have increased.
- Close to half of all women diagnosed with lung cancer will not even survive one year, and the five-year survival rate for women with lung cancer is only one in five.
