Office of Public Relations — Newsroom
News Release
"Faces of Lung Cancer" Launched by University of Colorado Cancer Center
AURORA (Nov. 14, 2005) — In recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, the University of Colorado Cancer Center (UCCC) is hosting "The Faces of Lung Cancer" campaign on its Web site. The campaign is designed to support lung cancer patients and their loved ones while also educating the public about lung cancer.
"This campaign shows that lung cancer can affect anyone," said Alison Faust, UCCC Cancer Resource Center coordinator. "We have photos of people who smoked for a short time in high school or college, people who smoked for five or 10 years and had been smoke-free for years before they were diagnosed, and lifetime smokers - people in their early 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s."
Faust emphasized that the stories of the people highlighted in the campaign are compelling. Featured patients are mothers, fathers, grandparents, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, marathoners, educators and outdoor enthusiasts. Some are best friends.
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women. More than 160,000 - 29 percent of all cancer deaths - are expected to occur from lung cancer this year. Smoking is the most significant risk factor for lung cancer. Other factors include secondhand smoke and occupational or environmental exposures to substances such as arsenic, radon and asbestos. Lung cancer is especially difficult to treat because it is typically diagnosed at more advanced stages. Early screening is not yet available.
Anyone can view the "Faces of Lung Cancer" campaign, and lung cancer patients can find out how to participate by visiting the UCCC Web site at www.uccc.info. For more information, contact the UCCC Cancer Resource Center at 720-848-0395.
The University of Colorado Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the Rocky Mountain Region. Headquartered primarily at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, its four-part mission is excellence in cancer research, treatment, prevention and education. For more information, visit the Web site at www.uccc.info.