As Part of its Women's Health Celebrations During Breast Cancer Awareness
Month
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- If you ask most people what cancer is
the leading killer of women, they likely will say breast cancer.
Surprisingly, they'd be wrong. Lung cancer now leads as the number one cause
of cancer death in women. The American Cancer Society estimates that
approximately 69,000 American women will die this year from lung cancer - more
than from breast and ovarian cancers combined.
Fortunately, most cases of lung cancer can be prevented. Smoking is the
most important risk factor for developing lung cancer, accounting for eight
out of ten cases. Experts also warn that women need to be aware of their lung
cancer risk, since they may be especially vulnerable to developing the
disease.
"Women are particularly susceptible to lung cancer because of the hormone
estrogen," said Sandra Norman, Ph.D., president of the American Cancer
Society, Pennsylvania Division. "In fact, women who smoke develop lung cancer
at 1.5 times the rate of men who smoke. With this in mind, I urge my female
patients who smoke to quit immediately. It's the single most important thing
they can do right now to prolong their lives."
For women who are ready to kick the smoking habit, the Pennsylvania
Department of Health and American Cancer Society offer a free smoking
cessation program for state residents. The Pennsylvania Free Quitline
(1-877-724-1090) is a telephone counseling service where trained professionals
coach callers through the process of quitting smoking in the privacy and
convenience of their own home. In addition to the five 20- to 45-minute
telephone counseling sessions, callers receive a series of informational
brochures that address the unique challenges of quitting. They also receive
referrals to education and support services in their local community.
"My children begged me for years to quit smoking because they were afraid
it would kill me," said Pennsylvania resident Lori Yacabitis. "When I finally
decided that smoking wasn't worth risking my health and hurting my family, I
turned to Quitline."
"Quitline made it impossible for me not to quit," Mrs. Yacabitis
continued. "For every excuse I could think of to continue smoking, my
Quitline counselor had an answer. In addition, the information brochures
provided me with strategies to get through the tough times when cravings were
overwhelming."
Quitting smoking at any age can help save a person's life. If a person
stops smoking before lung cancer develops, the lung tissue slowly returns to
normal, lowering the risk of developing lung cancer.
Women also should not discount tobacco's link to other cancers, including
breast. According to the American Cancer Society, more research is needed to
determine whether tobacco smoke puts women at greater risk for developing
breast cancer, but some experts say there is a connection. According to one
study, tobacco use within five years of a woman beginning her period appears
to increase her risk of developing breast cancer before menopause - a cause
for concern given most women who smoke begin prior to age 18.
"The link between smoking and breast cancer is unclear," said Dr. Norman,
"but when it comes to your health, why risk it? I tell patients who are
concerned about breast cancer to get an annual mammogram, increase their
physical activity and, if they smoke, quit smoking."
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary
health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem
by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer,
through research, education, advocacy, and service.
For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345, or
visit the American Cancer Society Web site at http://www.cancer.org.
SOURCE American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Division
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Related links:
http://www.cancer.org
CONTACT:
Angela Collom, angela@hbmadv.com, or Mark
Sahl, marks@hbmadv.com, both of Harris, Baio & McCullough,
+1-215-440-9800, for the American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania
Division
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