As a society, we can no longer ignore the 171,000 Americans who will be diagnosed with lung cancer every year and the 46 million former smokers at risk for the disease. A substantial amount of the money coming to the states from the tobacco settlement should be used not only for smoking prevention and cessation programs but also to meet the very real needs of people living with or at risk for lung cancer. If states focus only on prevention and cessation to alleviate smoking-related illness, they will fail to save thousands of lives and to reduce the enormous suffering caused by lung cancer. Programs for early detection, education about lung cancer and treatment options, and access to psycho social support must also receive funding. In the United States, most people newly diagnosed with lung cancer are former smokers and people who never smoked.
Former smokers carry a lifelong increased risk for lung cancer.
For these people, early diagnosis is critical for survival. In addition, a prevailing attitude of fear and blame surrounds lung cancer and discourages people at risk from seeking medical attention. Current research on several screening methods holds great promise for early detection. Once diagnosed, people deserve immediate referral to oncology professionals and informational materials to guide their healthcare decisions, regardless of stage of disease or age. They should have access to personal support services and programs to enhance their quality of life.