Lung Cancer Awareness Month (2006)

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

WHEREAS,  the health and well-being of the citizens of our great Commonwealth are of the utmost importance to the prosperity and livelihood of Virginia’s families and communities; and

 WHEREAS,  lung cancer is the leading cause of death among both men and women throughout our nation, killing more people than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined, and it is expected to take the lives of more than 4,510 Virginians in 2006; and

WHEREAS,  according to the American Cancer Society’s 2006 projections, there will be over 172,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in the United States this year, with 4,840 of these diagnoses occurring in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS,  symptoms are often non-existent in the early stages of lung cancer and, because this disease is often diagnosed in its advanced stages, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is only fifteen percent; and

WHEREAS,  it is important for Virginians to be more aware of the symptoms of lung cancer including, but not limited to, a new or persistent cough, excessive wheezing, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, repeated upper respiratory ailments, and pain in the chest, shoulders, or back that will not go away and is made more painful by deep breathing; and

WHEREAS,  the Commonwealth of Virginia supports the efforts of the American Lung Association of Virginia and other lung cancer support groups that emphasize the important role that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can play in reducing  the risk of developing lung cancer; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine, do hereby recognize November 2006 as LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.