November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Take Steps to Protect Your Lung Health
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the United States. In 2022, more than 218,000 new lung cancer cases were reported, and in 2023, over 131,000 people lost their lives to the disease.
Here in Maine, lung cancer continues to be a major health concern. It is one of six cancer types that account for 60% of all new cancer cases statewide and contributes to 24% of cancer deaths. Maine’s lung and bronchus cancer death rate (34.7 per 100,000) is higher than the national average (29.3 per 100,000), and more than 64% of cases are diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment is more difficult.
Understanding Risk Factors
The number one risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. In Washington County, approximately 1 in 4 adults smoke, a rate higher than the state and national averages. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies the majority of Maine as a Zone 1 area for radon, meaning homes and buildings often have radon levels above the recommended safety threshold of 4 pCi/L (https://www.epa.gov/radon/epa-map-radon-zones).
Other risk factors include exposure to asbestos, arsenic, diesel exhaust, silica, and chromium, as well as a personal or family history of lung cancer, radiation therapy to the chest, and certain dietary supplements (such as beta carotene in smokers).
Early Detection Saves Lives
Lung cancer screening can detect the disease early—when it’s most treatable. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that adults aged 50 to 80 who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years be screened annually with low-dose CT (LDCT). In 2024, more than 8,800 Mainers received baseline screenings, and over 9,300 follow-up screenings were performed. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if screening is right for you.
Support for Quitting Tobacco
Quitting tobacco use is one of the most powerful ways to protect your lung health and reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases. Healthy Acadia offers free, confidential tobacco cessation support for youth and adults.
My Life, My Quit provides personalized coaching for teens who want to quit smoking or vaping.
Adults can access free resources, counseling, and local support to quit for good.
Maine QuitLink and 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Healthy Acadia promotes the use of the Maine CDC’s QuitLink as an excellent resource to support people in the quitting process. Your call to the QuitLink can be an important first step to help you along the journey of quitting or to help you support a loved one to become tobacco-free.
The Maine QuitLink is a free service that answers your questions and offers friendly support to those who are thinking about quitting, who are ready to quit, or who want to help a friend or family member quit. The Maine QuitLink provides tobacco users counseling by phone, digital support and when appropriate, provides medication support. Make the call that can help you or those you love to stay tobacco-free for life.
Click here to learn more about tobacco prevention and cessation programs and resources.
Take Action
Take steps to protect yourself and those you love:
Get screened if you’re eligible.
Test your home for radon and install mitigation systems if needed.
Quit tobacco and encourage others to do the same.
Share resources to raise awareness and promote prevention.
Together, we can make a difference in reducing lung cancer rates and improving the health and well-being of our communities.