More people in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2018). Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November is an annual opportunity to support lung cancer survivors, caregivers and families of those who have been diagnosed with lung cancer. New research and breakthroughs in the past decade have brought new hope to patients and their families, but work remains to bring awareness and reduce stigma around the disease. Are you looking to be a part of these important efforts and support Lung Cancer Awareness Month? The George Washington University (GW) Cancer Center offers several tools and resources to get you started.
Our Lung Cancer Awareness Month Social Media Toolkit can help you plan your organization’s social media strategy for November (and beyond). The toolkit contains:
- Practical steps for getting started with social media
- Evidence-based strategies for communicating about lung cancer with different audiences
- Sample Tweets, Facebook and LinkedIn posts to use throughout the month or tailor for your unique audience
- Innovative strategies for using other social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat or Reddit to mark Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- Additional tools and resources to support your activities
Several factors increase a person’s risk for lung cancer, including smoking, secondhand smoke, radon, other substances, and a personal or family history of lung cancer (CDC, 2018a). If you’re interested in making policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes in your community to reduce risk factors for lung cancer, check out our Action for PSE Change website to learn how groups across the country are reducing exposure to secondhand smoke (New Orleans), limiting youth exposure to tobacco in schools (Cherokee Nation) or reducing radon exposure in homes (Iowa). Residents in the Washington, D.C. area can obtain a free radon test kit from the Department of Energy and Environment. Learn more about radon in the District and access related resources. You can also find additional lung cancer resources through the searchable repository on our Cancer Control Technical Assistance Portal (TAP) or through the Lung Cancer Alliance.
If you’re located in the Washington, D.C. area, The GW Hospital, in conjunction with the GW Cancer Center, has been named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) for its ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening. Low dose CT screening for lung cancer, carried out safely, efficiently and equitably can save tens of thousands of lives each year. Learn more about lung cancer screening and how you can make an appointment today.
