LungBlog

SB 458 - Testifying in support: Dr. Jablons, Bonnie Addario of the Bonnie Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, myself and our very dedicated lung cancer survivors. American Lung Assoc. has also decided to support this bill after we agreed to change some of the “whereas” statements. We received 5 of 6 votes needed for passage so the bill went to “Call,” meaning that later votes from Senators would be counted. It appears we have enough to get the bill out of the Health committee. It will next head to Appropriations.

Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) commended the New York State Senate for acknowledging the need to provide early detection of lung cancer for those at high risk for the disease.

State legislators recently took a step in the right direction by holding a hearing on the issue of statewide smokefree legislation. I hope they continue to represent the voices of thousands of constituents seeking statewide smokefree workplaces, including restaurants and bars, by passing House Bill 4163.

Said Assemblywoman Gunther about the bill: “Early detection gives those stricken with cancer the best chance to beat the disease. Because lung cancer is so hard to detect, it’s important that people are screened for it in advance of any symptoms. It’s one of the first things nurses learn - preventive, proactive care keeps people healthy. This legislation will save lives by ensuring that high-risk individuals have the opportunity to get screened and begin treatment as early as possible.”

 ”Shame on me if I don’t try to do something to help with early detection, early intervention, early treatment,” said Mayne, just a few hours after starting his fourth chemotherapy cycle.

Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) hailed Congressional leaders and their efforts to challenge the marketing of Camel No. 9, the sleekly packaged pink and black cigarettes designed to appeal to young women.

In response to Hicks’ advocacy, state Sen. Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury, sponsored legislation to establish a lung cancer early detection and research program under the auspices of the state Department of Health.

Despite lung cancer being the leading cause of cancer deaths in our state, we hear very little about the disease. One reason, perhaps, is that lung cancer is often associated with smoking. Therefore, there is a stigma. People view it as a preventable disease.

However, it is a disease that claims the lives of many people who have never smoked. Some have lived with a smoker. Some develop the disease because of hazardous work environments. Others, for reasons unexplained, develop the disease without having any known risk factors.

“Lung cancer has claimed 3,790 lives in Massachusetts and 162,460 throughout the country,” Hedlund said in a press release. “I hope that this bill leads to better funding for lung cancer detection and research with the goal that one day there will be a cure for this disease.”
O’Connor is additionally seeking state funding for a proposed $3.8 million trial run CT screening program in the budget for fiscal year 2008, which begins July 1.
“I got involved with this effort when my sister was diagnosed with lung cancer,” said O’Connor, who added that support for funding to detect lung cancer in its early stages is non-existent because the disease is associated with cigarette smoking and carries a stigma.
“Lung cancer is the number killer of all cancers combined,” O’Connor said. “Women have alarming statistics. Most of the women who are getting lung cancer now are non-smokers.”

Ann Centers is one of more than 350,000 people living with lung cancer across the country.

She recently learned her cancer is no longer restricted to her lungs.

“The lung cancer has now spread to the brain,” said Centers.

Ann has never smoked, but she thinks she knows how the cancer developed – from secondhand smoke.