Countries Unite for World Lung Cancer Day

The Forum of International Respiratory Societies and Its Global Members Aim to Raise Awareness about Lung Cancer Risks through New Initiative

Tokyo, Japan. (27 July 2015) – In recognition of World Lung Cancer Day on 1 August, the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, alongside members of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), launches its World Lung Cancer Day 2015: Honour, Unite, Inspire campaign. The global campaign aims to raise awareness about lung cancer, its global impact and create an educational movement of understanding lung cancer risks, as well as early treatment across the world.

According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 1.8 million new cases in 2012, and is responsible for nearly one in five cancer deaths. In fact, it claims more lives yearly than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.

"As early intervention improves lung cancer survival, we urge people to understand their risk factors, reduce them where possible and encourage patients to have open dialogue with their health care providers," said M Mishima (President) and K Fong (Lung Cancer Assembly Head) APSR.

World Lung Cancer Day 2015: Honour, Unite, Inspire highlights the many risk factors to be aware of in order to detect lung cancer at the earliest stage possible. While most understand that smoking is the single greatest risk factor for lung cancer, other lesser known risk factors include environment and genetics. Environmental exposure to radon, asbestos, arsenic, beryllium and uranium have all been linked to lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer also increases with a history of cancer in another part of the body, age, family history, radiation to the chest area and lung diseases like COPD.

The initiative also aims to shed light on key symptoms and screening options. Symptoms include change in mucus, chest or back pain, coughing up blood and difficulty swallowing. Tests that may be used to diagnose lung cancer include chest X-rays, CT and PET scans, bronchoscopy, and needle biopsies. If you are a current or former smoker and over age 55, you may be a candidate for a low-dose CT scan screening that can offer early detection of lung cancer, potentially at its earliest stages.

"Treatment options for lung cancer have significantly advanced over the last few years and survival rates are increasing. We're hopeful this international campaign will encourage people to gain awareness of their risks and increase early detection for the best possible outcomes," said Dr. Nils E. Billo, Director of FIRS.

More than 70,000 global FIRS members have united for World Lung Cancer Day 2015: Honour, Unite, Inspire, including member organizations: the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), Asociación Latinoamericana del Thorax (ALAT), the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS).

Patients, families and caregivers can download free educational resources and learn more about lung cancer, risk factors, screenings and treatment options by visiting www.CHESTnet.org/WLCD.

WHAT:
In honour of World Lung Cancer Day on 1 August 2015, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and its global members including the APSR have united to create an educational movement around its World Lung Cancer Day 2015: Honour, Unite, Inspire campaign.

ABOUT:
World Lung Cancer Day is a grassroots effort, started by a lung cancer survivor and embraced by the lung cancer community. It is a day to celebrate survivors, remember those who have passed and spread awareness to the general public about lung cancer. It is a day created by, and for, people with lung cancer.

GOAL:
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the global impact of lung cancer and encourages deeper understanding of lung cancer risk factors beyond smoking, as well as the importance of early treatment. Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and understanding this disease is key to preventing future deaths.

STATISTICS:
The impact of lung cancer is widespread; global statistics include:
•Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 1.8 million new cases in 2012, and is responsible for nearly one in five cancer deaths.
•Lung cancer claims more lives yearly than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.
•Tobacco use is the most significant risk factor for cancer causing an estimated 70 percent of global lung cancer deaths.
•The risk of getting lung cancer increases with age and is greater in men than in women.
•The highest incidence of lung cancer is in North America and Europe; and the lowest incidence is in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

RISK FACTORS:
While smoking is widely recognized as a risk factor for lung cancer, other lessor known risks are also important:
•A history of cancer in another part of the body increases your risk.
•If one of your parents or siblings has had lung cancer, your risk of developing lung cancer may be increased.
•Radiation increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
•Radon, asbestos, arsenic, beryllium and uranium have all been linked to lung cancer.
•Diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and TB may increase lung cancer risk by 50 percent to 100 percent.

PARTICIPANTS:
More than 70,000 global FIRS members have united for World Lung Cancer Day, including:
•American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
•Asociación Latinoamericana del Thorax (ALAT)
•American Thoracic Society (ATS)
•Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR)
•European Respiratory Society (ERS)
•International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)
•Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS)

MORE INFO:
Free resources are available to download at: www.CHESTnet.org/WLCD