According to the CDC's November 11 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 68.8 percent of current smokers say they want to quit and 52.4 percent tried to quit during the past year. No matter how many people want to quit or attempt to quit, tobacco cigarettes are still creating an immense risk of many types of cancer including lung cancer.

Nancy Meenan shared her experience with losing her husband to lung cancer in a letter to the Editor at phillyBlurbs.com. The following is her statement:

My husband passed away in July of small-cell lung cancer. He was told by the oncologist that small-cell is directly caused by smoking and is a very aggressive cancer. By the time he showed symptoms, it was too late. The doctor also said there has been no progress in finding a way to cure small-cell lung cancer in the last 20 years.

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Local hospitals are offering low-dose CT scans to smokers to screen for lung cancer.

Medical Imaging of Fredericksburg, a partnership of Mary Washington Healthcare and Radiologic Associates of Fredericksburg, began a screening program earlier this month. Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center also offers the service.

The low-dose CT scans are aimed at current and former smokers in an attempt to identify cancerous tumors early, when treatment for lung cancer can make a difference. Unfortunately, most cases of lung cancer are not diagnosed until treatment will only extend the number of weeks a person lives instead of eliminating the disease.

The program is available for persons aged 55-75 who have the equivalent of a pack-a-day cigarette habit for 30 years. The imaging costs $325 at Medical Imaging of Fredricksburg and $375 at Spotsylvania; typically not covered by insurance and payable by the patient. Continue Reading

Tobacco companies knew for over 40 years that cigarettes contained a radioactive substance, Polonium-210, a new study of historical documents revealed.

Scientists from the University of California in Los Angeles reviewed 27 documents released by tobacco companies that were not previously analyzed. The findings are shocking.

The study's lead author, Hrayr Karagueuzian said the companies' level of deception surprised him.

Tobacco companies knew of radioactive properties found in cigarettes as early as 1959. Not only were they aware of the dangers, they tested and found that snakes developed lung cancer as a result of exposure to Polonium-210. Continue Reading

Were Cigarettes to Blame?

Smoking is addictive and it kills. The chemicals entering the body cause a host of issues including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and multiple types of cancers. The effects of smoking were the center focus of a lawsuit against R. J. Reynolds, tobacco maker of Camel cigarettes.

Reinaldo Ojeda, son of Juan Ojeda, brought forth a lawsuit claiming that tobacco company, R. J. Reynolds' product was to blame for his father's premature death. Juan smoked two packs of Camel cigarettes per day. In 1991, Juan had breathing difficulties and was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 1996, Juan was diagnosed with lung cancer and died a few months later. Continue Reading

New research on the world's number one cancer killer shows a decline in the disease among women--and many hope it stays that way.

The American Lung Association is working to raise awareness about lung cancer and COPD in November.

Before losing her battle with lung cancer, 21 year old Jill Costello rallied thousands nation wide to raise funds for a cure.