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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, 608-266-1683
JOIN THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT
Lung Cancer is Still Wisconsin's Leading Cancer Killer
MADISON-State health officials are encouraging smokers to join the 33rd Great
American Smokeout on Thursday, November 20th. Lung cancer remains the
leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in Wisconsin as more
people die from lung cancer than from breast, prostate and colorectal
cancers combined.
"The best way to fight lung cancer is to prevent people from
picking up the habit and encourage current tobacco users to quit,"
said Secretary Karen Timberlake. "Lung cancer kills thousands of
people each year in Wisconsin and yet it's one of the most preventable
cancers. Help is out there if you're ready to quit."
If you want help to quit smoking, call the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line
at:
1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)
En espaņol: 1-877-2NO-FUME (266-3863)
According to the American Cancer Society, an average of 1,564 men and
1,152 women die each year in Wisconsin from lung cancer. With many
cancers, early detection is essential to successful treatment. However,
there is no standard screen for lung cancer, so contact your physician if
you are a smoker.
A chest x-ray, analysis of cells contained in sputum and fiber optic
examination of the bronchial passages have all shown limited effectiveness
in detecting lung cancer early. The Department's Wisconsin Cancer
Incidence and Mortality, 2000-2004 report shows that only 20 percent of
lung cancer cases were diagnosed at an early stage.
Lung cancer is also disproportionately found among certain racial
groups. African Americans and American Indians have higher cancer
incidence rates (104 and 90, per 100,000, respectively) than the general
population in Wisconsin (65 per 100,000).
"I urge everyone in Wisconsin to become aware of the risks for
lung cancer and to learn about the resources available to them through
their health care provider, the American Cancer Society, or their local
health department," Timberlake said. "With improved education,
lung cancer can be prevented, and fewer people will have to suffer from
this horrible disease."
For more information about Wisconsin Tobacco Control and Prevention
efforts, go to http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/tobacco
For cancer reports and statistics, go to http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wcrs/pubs.htm
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Last Revised: July 12, 2010
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