Smokers, Get Screened for Lung Cancer; It Could Save Your Life

Jackson, Miss. — Lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer in the United States, and cigarette smoking is linked to at least 80 percent of those deaths. During November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is encouraging smokers and ex-smokers to get screened for the disease with a low-dose CT scan.

Mississippi has the third-highest rate of death and new cases of lung cancer in the United States. Our smoking rates are 33 percent higher than the national average, and our lung cancer screening rates are 11.5 percent lower than the rest of the country's.

Low-dose CT screening can detect signs of lung cancer early when it's easier to treat and more likely to save your life. You are eligible for the screening if you have a history of heavy smoking. Annual screening is recommended if:

• You are 50 to 80 years old,
• And you currently smoke, or have quit within the last 15 years,
• And you smoked an average of 2 packs a day for 10 years.

“If you're an ex-smoker, or still smoking, early detection of lung cancer is key for your treatment plan,” said Darrius Moore of the MSDH Office of Tobacco Control (OTC). “Cancer doesn't have to be a death sentence. A low-dose CT scan can help save your life. Discuss your options with a health care provider.”

If you want to quit smoking, you don't have to do it alone. Join others across the country in the Great American Smokeout on November 20. Just commit to starting with one day toward a healthier life. To take that first step, visit the Great American Smokeout website.

The Tobacco Quitline is another free resource for online or telephone coaching, information and support available for anyone interested in kicking the habit. Contact our experts to double your chances of successfully quitting at (800) 784-8669 or quitnow.net/ms.