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Courtesy of MaineGeneral Prevention & Health Living
First the bad news, to be followed by some good news.
Maine has a perfect storm of risk factors for lung cancer:
* Our statewide smoking rate is the highest in New England. * One in three Maine homes has high levels of radon — the second leading cause of lung cancer. * With so many Maine homes relying on well water, rates of arsenic and radon in drinking water are of concern.
About 60 percent of homes in Maine have wells for their main source of water. Because of the unique geographical features of Maine, where many homes are on granite ledge, well water is often contaminated with both arsenic and radon. In Kennebec and Somerset counties, 26 percent of homes have arsenic levels exceeding the federal guidelines. Arsenic is linked to lower IQ in children as well as bladder, skin and lung cancers.
These risk factors have led to these sobering statistics:
* Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women in Maine. * Lung cancer is also the second most common cancer for men and women in Maine.
The good news is there is hope to turn these statistics around. First, you can reduce your risk for lung cancer by keeping your homes smoke-free, by testing for radon and arsenic, and by taking steps to reduce both. If you are at risk for lung cancer, there’s also a tool for early detection.
A new screening technology called the Low-Dose CT scan can detect lung cancer earlier, when it is more treatable. Screening is a way to look for signs of disease before it causes symptoms or problems. A Low-Dose CT helps detect lung cancer early, much like a mammogram detects breast cancer early. If caught early enough, surgeons can remove the cancerous tumor and lives can be saved.
To be eligible for a Low-Dose CT scan, you must:
* Be between 55-80 years of age * Be a current or former smoker (If you have quit smoking, you quit within the last 15 years. * Have a 30-pack-year history (one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years)
If you think a Low-Dose CT would benefit you, talk to your health care provider. Finding lung cancer early, before you have any symptoms, can help save your life.
If you have questions about Low-Dose CT, radon, or arsenic, call MaineGeneral Prevention and Healthy Living at 207-872-4102.
MaineGeneral Prevention & Healthy Living is a part of the statewide Maine Lung Cancer Coalition.
The coalition’s goal is preventing new lung cancers in Maine and reducing the number of people who die from lung cancer. This work is funded by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation.
