This November, the American Lung Association is drawing attention to lung health awareness and prevention in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Veterans Day on November 11. The focus is particularly on military veterans, who face increased risks due to factors such as service-related tobacco use and occupational hazards.
Respiratory diseases are a significant concern for veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs reports approximately 7,700 annual lung cancer diagnoses among veterans, with an estimated 900,000 at risk due to age, smoking habits, and environmental conditions. In 2023, data showed that 55% of veterans had smoked at some point in their lives compared to 32% of civilians. This highlights the need for greater awareness and preventive care regarding lung health within this community.
"Lung health has historically been impacted by high smoking rates among Veterans," states Joel Nations, MD, Volunteer Spokesperson for the American Lung Association and Pulmonologist at Washington DC VA Medical Center. “This is especially true for military personnel during deployment, though many Veterans reduce smoking or quit altogether after leaving the service. However, their history of smoking keeps them at elevated risk for lung cancer. The most important steps are to avoid smoking, quit if you do smoke, and get screened if you’re at high risk."
To support veterans in improving their lung health, the American Lung Association suggests four key steps:
On November 19, the organization will release its seventh annual State of Lung Cancer report. This report will provide insights into new case rates, survival rates, early diagnosis trends, surgical treatment availability, access to care, and biomarker testing across different states. It also aims to identify opportunities for state governments and federal authorities to take action against lung cancer.
The initiatives by the American Lung Association aim not only to assist veterans but also to help all Americans enhance their lung health and mitigate the impact of lung disease within communities.
