New York State Department of Health Recognizes Lung Cancer Awareness Day

Smoking is the Leading Cause of Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer Screening Helps to Find Lung Cancer Early

Albany, N.Y. (August 1, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes Lung Cancer Awareness Day this August 1 and encourages New Yorkers to remain proactive in screening for and preventing lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in New York State. Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer.

"Lung cancer can be a life changing and life threatening diagnosis," said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. "Some people with lung cancer may not have any signs or symptoms. Detecting lung cancer at these early stages can lead to the disease being more easily treated."

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

According to the latest Department of Health data, lung cancer claims about 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 specifically non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black men. For women, lung cancer rates are highest among non-Hispanic White women.

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.

Because of these factors 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. Quitting benefits not only an individual's health, but the physical and mental health of family and friends. Smokers who receive medications and counseling double their chances of successfully quitting.

The New York State Quitline provides a number of 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) or texting (716) 309-4688.

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 can 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 to avoid unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. This is particularly important for children.
  • 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.