New York State Department of Health Recognizes Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Supports 'The Great American Smokeout'

Department Encourages New Yorkers Who Smoke to Develop a Plan to Quit

Adults Over Age 50 Who Smoke or Used to Smoke Should Talk with Their Health Care Provider about Lung Cancer Screening

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 18, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month and encourages New Yorkers who smoke to participate in the "Great American Smokeout" on November 21. This event is an opportunity for those who smoke to take the first step toward quitting. Cigarette smoking remains the number one risk factor for lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer deaths in New York State. The Department also encourages lung cancer screening for adults aged 50 or older who smoke or have smoked, as early detection saves lives.

"Lung cancer is a deadly disease that is more often than not caused by smoking, so the most important step a person can take to protect from this disease is to not smoke or quit," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "If you smoke, take action now by developing a plan to quit, and pick a day to start your journey to a smoke-free and healthier life with a reduced risk of lung cancer. Perhaps November 21 could be the day for you."

The most important step a person should take to protect against lung cancer is to not smoke. For those who currently smoke, it's never too late to quit. And anyone who smokes or has a history of smoking should talk to their health care provider about lung cancer screening.

Lung cancer claims more than 7,400 lives across New York each year, and smoking causes 79 percent of those lung cancer deaths. Lung cancer rates are highest among men and non-Hispanic White people.

The American Cancer Society's annual "Great American Smokeout" on November 21 is a great time to quit or start the path towards quitting. If that date doesn't work, consider setting a different date for your quit day. Making a plan and preparing for the quit day can help make quitting successful. Quitting smoking improves health, but it can be hard to do. The good news is there are proven treatments that can help people quit.

Approximately 1.6 million New Yorkers continue to smoke cigarettes. Smoking and secondhand smoke are responsible for more than 30,000 deaths in the state each year. Smoking cigarettes, cigars or other tobacco products has long been shown to be the leading cause of lung cancer. Additionally, the vapor or aerosol from e-cigarettes can contain many of the same substances found in tobacco smoke that are linked to lung disease and lung cancer. Smoking marijuana has also been linked to significant lung damage and lung cancer.

Secondhand smoke is also a major cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Living with someone who smokes increases the chance of developing lung cancer or heart disease by as much as 30 percent.

Quitting smoking is also the single best way to protect family members, coworkers, friends, and others from the health risks associated with breathing secondhand smoke. Smokers who receive medications and counseling double their chances of successfully quitting.

Yearly lung cancer screening is strongly recommended for people between the ages of 50 and 80 and who either smoke now or have quit within the last 15 years. In New York State, people who need lung cancer screening can have those services covered yearly by Medicaid and most health insurance plans. Find a location near you: NY Lung Cancer Screening Locator.

New Yorkers who want help to quit smoking or vaping, including counseling and medication, can talk to a health care provider or contact the New York State Quitline. The New York State Quitline provides free resources and tools to aid efforts to quit, including confidential quit coaching, support in both English and Spanish and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), such as patches and gum. Services are available by calling 1-866 NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487), texting (716) 309-4688, or visiting www.nysmokefree.com for information, to chat online with a Quit Coach, or to sign up for Learn2QuitNY, a six-week, step-by-step text messaging program to build the skills you need to quit any tobacco product.

Medical counseling and prescribed medications to help quit smoking are also covered by Medicaid and most health insurance plans. Check with your health insurance provider to learn if you are covered. If you do not have insurance, learn about low or no-cost New York State programs that you may be eligible for:

Beyond smoking there are other risk factors that can affect an individual's chance of developing lung cancer. Any of these risk factors alone contribute to your risk of lung cancer, but combined with smoking they can increase your risk even more. These risk factors include:

  • Radon gas. Exposure to radon gas has been estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Have your home tested for radon, especially if you live in a high radon area. If radon levels in your home are high, make the necessary modifications.
  • Asbestos in the workplace. People exposed to high levels of asbestos on the job, such as shipbuilders and pipefitters, have an increased risk of lung cancer.
  • Ionizing radiation. Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation, such as radiation treatments for other cancers, increases risk for getting lung cancer. Discuss the risks and benefits of medical imaging with a health care provider.
  • Personal and family history. People who have had lung cancer and people with a close relative who had lung cancer may be at increased risk of developing lung cancer.
  • Other lung diseases. People with a history of other diseases of the lung, such as tuberculosis (TB), are at increased risk of developing lung cancer.
  • Other workplace exposures. Other chemicals or substances that may be found at high levels in certain workplaces have been identified as risk factors for lung cancer. These include arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, vinyl chloride, nickel compounds, chromium compounds, coal products, tars and soot, chloromethyl ethers and diesel exhaust.

Additional information about lung cancer is available from these sources:

The New York State Cancer Consortium is a statewide network made up of more than 300 members from the public and private sectors whose missions are aligned with reducing cancer incidence and mortality. Consortium Action Teams come together to address some of New York's highest burden of preventable cancers, including a Lung Cancer Screening Action Team.