Lung Association Launches Men Wear Turquoise, Too! Campaign

Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cause of cancer deaths for both women and men, and in 2018 in New York State alone, lung cancer is expected to take the lives of more than 8,500 people while more than 13,000 will be diagnosed with the disease. Despite these alarming statistics, awareness about the disease, its risk factors and those getting screened for the disease remain critically low. The American Lung Association in New York is now recruiting men to wear turquoise in November for Lung Cancer Awareness Month, through Men Wear Turquoise, Too!, in order to raise funds and awareness within their social and professional networks to end the disease.

“One reason lung cancer is so deadly is because by the time symptoms are apparent, it may already have spread and become more difficult to treat,” said Jeff Seyler, Chief Division Officer for the American Lung Association. “Awareness of the disease and the ability to speak with your doctor about your risk and if you might be eligible for lung cancer screening can be a game changer.”

Lung cancer screening leads to diagnoses of the disease at an early stage, when it is much more likely to be curable. If everyone who was eligible were screened, an estimated 25,000 lives could be saved. While screening is currently recommended for former and current smokers who meet a certain criteria, risk factors for lung cancer include smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas and air pollution.

Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of both men and women in the U.S., and in the last 41 years new lung cancer cases have increased 87 percent among women, while falling 35 percent for men. Turquoise is the signature color of the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE - an initiative designed to unite the nation’s women against lung cancer. Men Wear Turquoise, Too!is an important effort to bring men to the table to raise awareness about the disease and stand with and for the women they love, as too many women are facing lung cancer.

“While the statistics are alarming for both men and women, many might be surprised to learn that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer for women,” said Seyler. “We all have women in our lives we love – mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, friends – and November is an opportunity for everyone, including men, to reach out to the important women in their lives to discuss lung cancer and encourage them to talk to their doctor if they’re worried about their risk. It’s hard to ignore what might be a hard conversation with a loved one if they are wearing bright turquoise!”

Seyler is among those already signed up to participate in Men Wear Turquoise, Too!, joining Thomas Aiello, TSYS, Michael Ebright, MD, Stamford Hospital, Richard Edelman, Edelman, Jose Galeas, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, Hadi Jabbar, MD, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, Geoff Matous, Convexity Scientific, Logan O’Hoppe, MLB, Darren Rohan, MD, Northwell Health, and B. Payne Stanifer, MD, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

The organization hopes to recruit 25 participants, each committing to raise $2,500. Participants will be eligible for prizes, T-shirts, special recognition, and will be featured in the statewide Lung News Monthly e-newsletter.

“The toll lung cancer takes on our families, friends and neighbors in New York and across the nation is truly devastating,” said Carla Sterling, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in New York City. “Turquoise, as the signature color of lung cancer awareness, has become a color of hope and truth – and if I can educate one person, or help support life-saving research by wearing it – count me in!”

The event will formally kick off at a breakfast reception on October 17, 2018. If you are interested in participating, contact Carla Sterling at Carla.Sterling@Lung.org.

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About the American Lung Association

TheAmerican LungAssociation is the leading organization working to save livesbyimprovinglunghealth and preventinglungdisease, through research,education and advocacy.The work of the American LungAssociation is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For moreinformation aboutthe American LungAssociation,a holderoftheBetterBusiness BureauWiseGivingGuideSeal,or to supportthe workitdoes,call1-800-LUNGUSA(1-800-586-4872)orvisit: Lung.org.

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