Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among all Americans. And, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for Hispanic men and the second leading cause of death for Hispanic women – many of whom are younger and sicker when diagnosed.
Lung cancer knows no bounds. It strikes smokers, non-smokers, men, women, all races and all ages. If you have lungs, you are at risk. Lung cancer will kill nearly 160,000 Americans this year, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America. Yet, lung cancer remains the forgotten cancer due in part to a five-year survival rate of only 15%. There are few survivors to stand up and speak out in support of research funding for the disease.
The survival rates for all cancers are directly related to the amount of funding available for research into their early detection, treatments, and, potentially, cures. And, while more advances have been made in the past two years than the last 10 years to change the outcomes for some and providing much needed hope for all diagnosed patients this does not mean that we can stop, much more needs to be done to fight this deadly cancer.
In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Gilberto Lopes and lung cancer survivor, Millie Torchia, will discuss how the Lung Cancer Foundation of America is working to fund life-saving research.
Millie, a non-smoker, thought she had pneumonia when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in June. The mother of three little girls, Millie together with Dr. Lopes will share stories of hope and how medical advances in lung cancer treatment are saving lives – including targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Help the Lung Cancer Foundation of America fund cutting edge lung cancer research – so many cancer patients’ lives depend on the next breakthrough. To learn more about lung cancer and to donate to help fund life-saving research, please visit LCFAmerica.org[lcfamerica.org].
