Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLung Cancer StatisticsRibbon ColorHistoryWhy It Was CreatedAdvances in CancerLung Cancer Charities
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lung Cancer Statistics
Ribbon Color
History
Why It Was Created
Advances in Cancer
Lung Cancer Charities
The lung cancer ribbon, like other awareness ribbons, is designed to show support and raise consciousness about a disease that is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths not only in the United States but globally.
Wearing a lung cancer ribbon not only helps raise awareness about the disease but also draws attention to charitable organizations that fund research or support people living withlung cancer. Moreover, it helps reduce thestigmasurrounding this much-dreaded disease.
This article takes a look at the history of the lung cancer ribbon and discusses the importance of awareness in relation to currentlung cancer statistics. The also describes the goals of cancer awareness and how it has helped reduce the number of lung cancer-related deaths in recent decades.
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Lung cancer (bothsmall cellandnon-small cell) is the second most common cancer overall. In males,prostate canceris more common, whilebreast canceris more common in females. Even so, lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than both of these diseases combined.
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer was responsible for 130,180 deaths in the United States in 2022. That is more than three times what was seen with breast cancer (43,780) and nearly four times what was seen with prostate cancer (34,500).
In addition, there were 236,740 new lung cancer diagnoses in 2022, with females accounting for slightly more cases than males (118,830 vs. 117,910 respectively).
Lung Cancer Symptoms, Types, and What to Know
Color of the Lung Cancer Ribbon
There is some debate over the exact color of the lung cancer ribbon, although it is usually considered to be white, pearl, or clear. Some lung cancer organizations have even opted to use different colors, arguing that the white doesn’t stand out as much as, say, the AIDS ribbon (red) orbreast cancer ribbon(pink) do.
But historically—and in the hearts of those dedicated to the cause—the lung cancer ribbon is and will always be white.
How the Lung Cancer Ribbon Began
The white ribbon is also emblematic of Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, a month-long event used to educate the public and empower individuals and families living with the disease. What began as Lung Cancer Awareness Day back in 1995 eventually grew into what is today a worldwide awareness initiative.
Is Lung Cancer Curable? Treatment Options and Survival Rate
Purpose of the Lung Cancer Ribbon
Though different ribbon colors mean different things, most if not all were designed to rally public support in order to effect social, institutional, and/or governmental change.
In the case of the lung cancer awareness ribbon, this includes:
Stigma is especially important to address as people with lung cancer are often “blamed” for their disease. This is due to a common misconception that lung cancer is a “smoker’s disease.”
The lung cancer awareness ribbon is also meant to serve as a way to unify those with the disease and remind them that they are not alone.
The simple truth is that over half of the people diagnosed with lung cancer today are former smokers or people who havenever smoked.
Why is Lung Cancer Increasing in Never Smokers?
Recent Advances in Lung Cancer
Awareness campaigns work. According to the American Cancer Society, the decline in smoking rates has led to steep decreases in lung cancer death rates in recent decades. The trend started back in the 1990s for males and around 2000 for females.
How Lung Cancer Is Treated Today
Lung Cancer Charities and Organizations
If you or a loved one want to raise awareness and support for people with lung cancer, there are several non-profit organizations that would appreciate your support, including:
Each of these charities has its own special niche. For example, LUNGevity directs a lot of its resources to research and public policy, while the GO2 Foundation provides support toyoung adults living with lung cancer.
In recent years, there has also been a growth in advocacy and support communities centered around lung cancers withspecific genetic profiles.
One such example isROS1ders, a community dedicated to supporting people withROS1-positive lung cancers. There are also communities for people withEGFR mutations,ALK rearrangements, and others.
Leading Lung Cancer Organizations and Charities
Summary
The lung cancer ribbon is a type of awareness ribbon used to raise consciousness about a disease that remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The white ribbon is also used to draw support to lung cancer charities and open conversations about lung cancer that can save a person’s life.
The lung cancer ribbon can be worn at any time of the year but is arguably most important in November as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
A Word From Verywell
You don’t need to wait until November to wear a white ribbon or to help raise awareness about lung cancer. Every day is an opportunity to educate the public about this still-dreaded disease.
Unlike some cancers that have screening tests,screening testsfor lung cancer have only been recently approved and are still limited to people aged 50 to 80 who have had a long history of smoking.For the majority of people, the recognition of lung cancer symptoms is the best way to catch the disease early when is still highly treatable.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Risk of dying from cancer continues to drop at an accelerated pace.World Health Organization.Cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Cancer facts and figures 2022.White Ribbon Project.Origin of the White Ribbon Project.American Lung Association.Lung Cancer Awareness Month.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of lung cancer.Vinas F, Hassen IB, Jabot L, Monnet I, Chouaid C.Delays for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancers: a systematic review.Clin Respir J.2016;10(3):267-71. doi:10.1111/crj.12217Maguire R, Lewis L, Kotronoulas G, McPhelim J, Milroy R, Cataldo J.Lung cancer stigma: a concept with consequences for patients.Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2019;2(5):e1201. doi:10.1002/cnr2.1201Yang CC, Liu CY, Wang KY, Wen FH, Lee YC, Chen ML.Smoking status among patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer in Taiwan.J Nurs Res.2019;27(4):e32. doi:10.1097/jnr.0000000000000293American Cancer Society.Recent advances in lung cancer treatment resulting in lower death rates.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for lung cancer.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Risk of dying from cancer continues to drop at an accelerated pace.World Health Organization.Cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Cancer facts and figures 2022.White Ribbon Project.Origin of the White Ribbon Project.American Lung Association.Lung Cancer Awareness Month.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of lung cancer.Vinas F, Hassen IB, Jabot L, Monnet I, Chouaid C.Delays for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancers: a systematic review.Clin Respir J.2016;10(3):267-71. doi:10.1111/crj.12217Maguire R, Lewis L, Kotronoulas G, McPhelim J, Milroy R, Cataldo J.Lung cancer stigma: a concept with consequences for patients.Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2019;2(5):e1201. doi:10.1002/cnr2.1201Yang CC, Liu CY, Wang KY, Wen FH, Lee YC, Chen ML.Smoking status among patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer in Taiwan.J Nurs Res.2019;27(4):e32. doi:10.1097/jnr.0000000000000293American Cancer Society.Recent advances in lung cancer treatment resulting in lower death rates.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for lung cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Risk of dying from cancer continues to drop at an accelerated pace.World Health Organization.Cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Cancer facts and figures 2022.White Ribbon Project.Origin of the White Ribbon Project.American Lung Association.Lung Cancer Awareness Month.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of lung cancer.Vinas F, Hassen IB, Jabot L, Monnet I, Chouaid C.Delays for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancers: a systematic review.Clin Respir J.2016;10(3):267-71. doi:10.1111/crj.12217Maguire R, Lewis L, Kotronoulas G, McPhelim J, Milroy R, Cataldo J.Lung cancer stigma: a concept with consequences for patients.Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2019;2(5):e1201. doi:10.1002/cnr2.1201Yang CC, Liu CY, Wang KY, Wen FH, Lee YC, Chen ML.Smoking status among patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer in Taiwan.J Nurs Res.2019;27(4):e32. doi:10.1097/jnr.0000000000000293American Cancer Society.Recent advances in lung cancer treatment resulting in lower death rates.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for lung cancer.
American Cancer Society.Risk of dying from cancer continues to drop at an accelerated pace.
World Health Organization.Cancer.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for lung cancer.
American Cancer Society.Cancer facts and figures 2022.
White Ribbon Project.Origin of the White Ribbon Project.
American Lung Association.Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of lung cancer.
Vinas F, Hassen IB, Jabot L, Monnet I, Chouaid C.Delays for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancers: a systematic review.Clin Respir J.2016;10(3):267-71. doi:10.1111/crj.12217
Maguire R, Lewis L, Kotronoulas G, McPhelim J, Milroy R, Cataldo J.Lung cancer stigma: a concept with consequences for patients.Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2019;2(5):e1201. doi:10.1002/cnr2.1201
Yang CC, Liu CY, Wang KY, Wen FH, Lee YC, Chen ML.Smoking status among patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer in Taiwan.J Nurs Res.2019;27(4):e32. doi:10.1097/jnr.0000000000000293
American Cancer Society.Recent advances in lung cancer treatment resulting in lower death rates.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for lung cancer.
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