CHICAGO, IL – November 18, 2014 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) – November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE, an initiative uniting women against lung cancer, is educating Hispanic women about the disease.
“As a doctor who treats lung cancer, these findings are startling. That being said, there is hope — the survey also found that when educated, almost 90 percent of Hispanic women say they’re likely to take action to address lung cancer”
Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women. Yet the disease is not even on Hispanic women’s radar, according to the American Lung Association’s inaugural Women’s Lung Health Barometer — a survey that measured women’s awareness, knowledge and perceptions about lung cancer. When asked to identify cancers that affect women, only 1 percent of Hispanic women cited lung cancer on a top-of-mind basis.
The Realities of Lung Cancer in Hispanic Women
The Barometer revealed that only 23 percent of Hispanic women understand that less than half of all women diagnosed with lung cancer will be alive a year later. Further, more than three-quarters of Hispanic women are not aware that lung cancer has killed more women than breast cancer every year since 1987.
The truth is anyone can get lung cancer, even women who don’t smoke. However, less than half of Hispanic women are concerned about getting lung cancer and fewer than 15 percent of Hispanic women have spoken with a doctor about their risks.
“As a doctor who treats lung cancer, these findings are startling,” said Jorge Gomez, MD, Senior Faculty Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, N.Y., and Member, Lung Cancer Expert Medical Advisory Panel, American Lung Association. “That being said, there is hope — the survey also found that when educated, almost 90 percent of Hispanic women say they’re likely to take action to address lung cancer. That’s why I’ve joined with LUNG FORCE to help take action in the Hispanic community.”
Supporting LUNG FORCE
There are many ways to take action. People can visit LUNGFORCE.org to learn about the disease, make a donation for much-needed funds to support research and education, take the LUNG FORCE pledge, or share a personal story about their experience with lung cancer.
About LUNG FORCE
LUNG FORCE is a new national movement led by the American Lung Association to unite women against lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women. LUNG FORCE has three priorities: 1) Make lung cancer a cause that people care about – and act on; 2) Educate and empower patients and healthcare providers and 3) Raise critical funds for lung cancer research. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org.
About The Women’s Lung Health Barometer
The Women’s Lung Health Barometer was fielded online by Edelman Berland in January 2014 and included 1007 women in the U.S., ages 18+. The data were weighted to be nationally representative on age, region and race/ethnicity. The margin of error is ±3.0%. Edelman Berland is a global, full-service market research firm that provides corporate, non-profit and government clients with strategic intelligence to make their communications and engagements with stakeholders the smartest they can be. The firm specializes in qualitative and quantitative research, measurement, tracking and analysis in reputation, branding and communications.
About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lung.org.