PINEHURST — Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, claiming the lives of twice as many women as breast cancer and three times as many men as prostate cancer.
While a history of smoking is the main risk factor for developing lung cancer, nearly 80 percent of those who are diagnosed today have never smoked or are former smokers who quit decades ago.
Cinnamon LeBlanc
On Thursday, Nov. 20, FirstHealth of the Carolinas will join communities throughout the U.S. in hosting the Sixth Annual Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Vigil in partnership with the national Lung Cancer Alliance.
The local program will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Clara McLean House (20 FirstVillage Drive, across Memorial Drive from the main entrance to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital). The evening will include a lighting ceremony recognizing the lives that are touched by lung cancer. Weather permitting, this part of the program will be held in the Clara’s House Healing Garden.
The speaker for the evening will be Cinnamon LeBlanc, manager of FirstHealth Fitness-Southern Pines, who will talk about FirstHealth’s Cancer Wellness and Yoga for Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers programs. Both programs combine exercise with education to help improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
The only national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to providing support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for lung cancer, the Lung Cancer Alliance works with community partners to create events that help raise awareness, advance early detection and research, support patients and their loved ones, and work toward building governmental support.
Studies have indicated that screening individuals who are at risk for lung cancer with low-dose CT scans can save tens of thousands of lives a year. FirstHealth of the Carolinas offers the scans.
For more information on the Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Vigil, call (800) 213-3284. For information on scheduling a low-dose CT scan for lung cancer screening, call the Chest Center of the Carolinas at 855-715-2258.
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