Handsel Art
14 October 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact J.R. Few
or 870-427-1365
Governor Proclaims November Lung Cancer Awareness Month
ACC Executive Director Cornelya Dorbin displays Governor Mike Beebe’s proclamation that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Arkansas.
Calling attention to the single greatest cause of lung cancer, tobacco smoke, is one motivation the Arkansas Cancer Coalition petitioned Governor Mike Beebe to join states across the country in proclaiming November 2010 Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Arkansas.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former U.S. Surgeon General, calls lung cancer a “manmade disease”. At the beginning of the 20th century lung cancer was almost unheard of but today more people die from lung cancer than any other cancer. “The increase and decrease in mortality from lung cancer follows the rise and fall of cigarette use,” says the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Branch Chief Dr. Carolyn Dresler. “Historically and globally, we can follow a 20 year lag in a population when cigarette sales spike and lung cancer rates peak.”
“So much of the prevention for lung cancer can be achieved through policy change,” notes ACC Lung Cancer Workgroup Chair, Dr. Thaddeus Bartter. The CDC has established Best Practices for effective tobacco prevention that include increased tobacco taxes, smoke free air, and market reform. Exemptions to Arkansas’ 4 year old clean indoor air law makes it one of the weakest protections from secondhand smoke in the nation. Even after recent tobacco tax increases, Arkansas’ is still below the national average and 27th lowest in the country. The Arkansas legislature let a bill posting the quit line at tobacco retailers die in committee in 2009.
Lung cancer data enjoys an unfortunate distinction in Arkansas. Tobacco related disease is the leading cause of death in the nation and lung cancer accounts for about a third of this morbidity. Yet Arkansas’ 2,100 lives lost to lung cancer is 42% of annual tobacco related deaths in the state.
Another motive for calling attention to lung cancer is an effort at facilitating the most current quality care to all Arkansans. African Americans start smoking later in life, smoke less, but compared to whites, are more likely to die from smoking related disease. One of the major goals of the ACC Lung Cancer Work Group is to identify strategies for dealing w disparities and at risk populations.
The Arkansas Cancer Coalition will hold a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda on November 16 at 10:30am. Representatives of the medical community, advocates, and policy makers will join the Governor in highlighting the urgent need and potential for prevention and treatment for lung cancer. Please join us in demonstrating your support for intelligent effective tobacco prevention and providing all Arkansans with quality care.
