ORLANDO, FL | August 1, 2025
Today is World Lung Cancer Day. The American Lung Association is raising awareness and encouraging Floridians to take action to help end this devastating disease, which is the leading cause of cancer related deaths.
This year, more than 18,500 Floridians will be diagnosed with lung cancer. But there is hope. Thanks to advancements in early detection, treatment and research, the five-year survival rate has improved by 44% over the past decade.
Here are four actions everyone can take to help end lung cancer:
- Check if you or a loved one are eligible for a lung cancer screening test. Lung cancer screening saves lives because it can detect lung cancer at earlier stages when it is more likely to be curable. Yet only 15.8% of high-risk Floridians have been screened. Take the 2-minute quiz and learn more about the low-dose CT scan at SavedByTheScan.org.
- Test your home for radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It is a colorless and odorless gas that can seep into buildings and has been found in high amounts in homes in every state. Fortunately, radon testing is easy and low cost, and it could save your life. Learn more at Lung.org/Radon and/or request a free radon test kit from our partner, Florida Department of Health.
- Educate yourself with the latest information and resources. The American Lung Association and AdventHealth recently hosted Navigating Lung Cancer: Understanding Stages 1-3. This free webinar offers actionable insights and compassionate guidance from Katrina Abril, MD, MSc, an interventional pulmonologist with AdventHealth. In addition to covering what patients can expect at each stage, both medically and emotionally, Dr. Abril discusses tailored treatment strategies ranging from minimally invasive procedures to multimodal therapies. More resources can be found at Lung.org/LungCancer and LungHealthProgram.com.
- Get involved locally and help our mission. Event participation and donations support lifesaving medical research, new treatments, lung cancer screenings, educational programs and more. Join the Fight For Air Climb Orlando on Saturday, March 7. Contact the Lung Association’s Central Florida team at [email protected] or (407) 205-1822 to learn more about getting involved.
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The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
For more information, contact:
Victoria O'Neill
(312) 273-5890
[email protected]
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