Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Test for Radon Gas

What You Don't Know Could Be Hurting You

Lung cancer accounts for about 27 percent of all cancer deaths and is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Nearly everyone has a friend or family member who has been affected by cancer in some way. To increase awareness and patient advocacy, The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is leading a joint effort for Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November.

You can get involved this November by sharing your own personal stories about lung cancer on social media with the hashtag #LCAM, and educating your friends and family about lung cancer prevention. One of the biggest steps in lung cancer prevention is testing for radon, a naturally-occurring carcinogen, in your home. Here are a few things you should know about radon gas and lung cancer.

Radon and Lung Cancer Aren't Unrelated 

Radon is an element that can take the form of a gas under natural conditions. Since it naturally occurs as the rocks and soil that contain uranium break down, it can enter the atmosphere inside your home or seep into groundwater. The danger, however, is that radon is radioactive, meaning that as it breaks down, it releases high-energy particles. These particles have negative impacts on the cells in your lungs, and when they damage the DNA inside cells, harmful mutations known as cancers can occur.

Radon Is Hard to Detect

Some building contamination problems are easy to notice. Unfortunately, radon isn't quite as detectable. Radon gas doesn't have a taste or smell that humans can naturally sense, and it's invisible. Buying a radon test kit to conduct a thorough radon test of your is the most accurate way to determine whether you have a problem. Test kit are available at most home improvement stores, or you can purchase a kit at 911Radon.com for $5.00 with promo code LCAM. These kits are fairly easy to set up and only require three days of being set up in the lowest level of the home. After three days, send the test kit into the lab in the postage paid envelope. Results are typically available within 48 hours of being received by the lab.

Lung Cancer is Not Just for Smokers

When it comes to contracting lung cancer, the U.S. EPA notes that radon is the most prevalent risk for those who don't smoke. It's worth noting, however, that diseases like lung cancer can be progressive. Radon can also contribute to heightened cancer risks among smokers. In total, radon exposure is believed to kill around 21,000 lung cancer sufferers annually, which is even more than those who die from secondhand smoke.

Why November Is a Good Time to Test

The factors that contribute to lung cancer can be complex. November's heightened focus on awareness makes this a great time to give friends and family testing kits, especially in regions where the coming cold weather and snow can cause radon levels to be elevated. Although the EPA says that quitting smoking is always a smart idea, the agency maintains that repairing your property to keep radon out is just as critical.

Testing is the only way to be aware of the radon problem in your home. After the levels of radon are known, correcting the issue starts with a phone call to your local Radon Mitigation Specialist. Radon mitigation is the best solution to a radon problem. Testing the home, again, after the repairs and solutions are in place, helps to ensure that your radon mitigation system works the way you expect.

Are you ready to take charge of your health during this Lung Cancer Awareness Month? Visit SWAT Environmental to learn more