THE RADON REPORTER | 5 LUNG CANCER PREVENTION As soon as an individual quits, their body begins to repair the damage caused by smoking and continues to repair itself for many years. Only 20 minutes after quitting an individual’s heart rate drops to a normal level. Between 12 to 24 hours after quitting the carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal and the risk of heart attack is significantly reduced. During 1 to 9 months after quitting coughing and shortness of breath decrease and lung function begins to improve. And 5 to 15 years after quitting an individual’s risk of getting cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder cancer and lung cancer is about half that of a smoker’s while the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease is reduced to that of a never-smoker. Proven-Effective Quit Strategies The American Lung Association in partnership with the Indoor Environments Association (formerly AARST) wants to reduce the burden of smoking and vaping on radon and vapor intrusion professionals and their families by ensuring barrier-free access to evidencebased and proven effective cessation programming. The American Lung Association acknowledges that 70% of people who smoke and use tobacco products want to quit, and that 50% of them will make a quit attempt this year. However, 92.5% of people who try to quit will fail due to lack of having a comprehensive tobacco treatment plan. A comprehensive tobacco treatment plan that includes counseling plus use of FDA-approved cessation medications together is proven most effective in helping an individual break free from tobacco and nicotine dependence for good. Evidence-based and proven-effective behavioral counseling programs are available, such as the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® Program which has successfully helped over 1 million people across America quit over the past 40 years. Nearly 60% of participants quit when Freedom From Smoking® is used with an FDA-approved quit medication. Freedom From Smoking® is available in a variety of different modalities including a flexible self-paced digital option accessible through any digital device. The American Lung Association’s 9-session digital online course Freedom From Smoking® Plus is a highly interactive behavior-change program that addresses today’s mobile lifestyles. It’s available in 38 different languages and works on desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones and includes telephone, chat and email support from our tobacco cessation counselors. Freedom From Smoking® Plus is accessible whenever and wherever individuals go to support individuals wanting to quit tobacco product quit and break their addiction for good. The program includes a 12-month membership which allows participants work at their own pace and revisit the course if they have a slip or relapse. Protecting Our Industry Members and Their Family Lungs and Saving Lives! Through a special partnership with the Indoor Environments Association (formerly AARST), the American Lung Association has agreed to offer this program -- regularly $99.95 per person -- at no charge to radon and vapor intrusion professionals and their families. To enroll and take advantage of this offer, IEA professionals and their families can use the unique URL bit.ly/KickTheNic or by scanning the QR code provided. In addition to access to this proven-effective cessation program, the Lung Association is also providing support of radon and vapor intrusion professionals and their families in determining their medical insurance eligibility and better understand the seven FDA-approved quit medication options available through their Lung Health Navigators. Individuals can connect with this team of Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists and Lung Health Professionals for more information by calling 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4871 and press 2), submitting a question or live chat when available by visiting Lung.org. Assessing Risk for Lung Cancer and Determining Screening Eligibility Along with quitting smoking, it is equally important for individuals who are at high risk for lung cancer to be screened annually. Screening is a test used to detect lung cancer before any symptoms appear. Screening with low-dose CT scans can reduce deaths in those at high risk. If you meet the following criteria, you are considered to be at “high risk” for developing lung cancer and screening is recommended: • 50-80 years of age • Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (this means 1 pack a day for 20 years, 2 packs a day for 10 years, etc.) • AND, are a current smoker, or have quit within the last 15 years The American Lung Association’s interactive online tool helps individuals determine whether lung cancer screening is recommended by visiting SavedByTheScan.org. If you have any questions about this initiative, please contact Jennifer.Folkenroth@Lung.org for more information.
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