November is a month filled with many impactful awareness events. This month Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, National Family Caregiver Month, Stomach Cancer Awareness Month and Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Month are celebrated. Take time in November to educate yourself and others about these advocacy events and show your support by taking part in awareness efforts.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know lung cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting both men and women in the United States [i]? Lung cancer is also a leading cause of cancer related deaths and can often be asymptomatic until advanced stages [i]. Lung cancer awareness month aims to raise awareness and the need for better community involvement and research to fight lung cancer [ii]. How can you get involved?
- Know the symptoms. People may experience different symptoms of lung cancer. Click here to learn more about possible symptoms [i].
- Raise awareness on social media. Use the American Lung Association’s Facebook Frame to get others involved [ii]!
- Wear a pearl or white ribbon to help raise awareness and show your support of Lung Cancer Awareness Month [iii].
- Share a selfie on your favorite social media platform with a #ChangeLungCancer sign to raise awareness in your community [iv].
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
November is an opportunity to celebrate survivors and those fighting pancreatic cancer. Over 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in this year alone [v]. Similarly to lung cancer, early signs of pancreatic cancer tend to be vague and often go undetected [vi]. Pancreatic cancer awareness month is an important time to educate others and raise awareness. Want to know how you can show your support?
- Learn more about the risk factors and symptoms of pancreatic cancer by clicking here [vi].
- What’s your risk? Take this test to assess your risk for pancreatic cancer [vi].
- Use these graphics to spread the word and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer [vi].
- Take part in World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 21st by wearing something purple [vii].
National Family Caregiver Month
This month recognizes and celebrates the efforts of family caregivers. Did you know that there are more than 40 million caregivers in the United States supporting their loved ones [viii]? National Family Caregiver Month aims to increase the support of family caregivers as well as raise awareness of family caregivers and the challenges they face [ix].
- In search for additional resources? Click here to learn more about resources available to caregivers [viii].
- Looking for more support as a family caregiver? Check out the Caregiver Action Network’s Family Caregiver Toolbox [ix].
- Want to connect with other caregivers? Use the Care Community to find forums and other helpful resources [ix].
Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is more common in men than women and close to 10,000 people are expected to die for stomach cancer this year [x]. Stomach Cancer Awareness Month aims to increase awareness of stomach cancer, educate the population about the risk factors and early detection of stomach cancer, as well as raise funds for research for early detection and treatment of stomach cancer [xi].
- Use these resources to help educate yourself and others about stomach cancer [xi].
- Walk for a cause! Learn more here about how you can walk to support Stomach Cancer Awareness Month [xi].
- Learn more about the causes, risk factors and prevention of stomach cancer on the American Cancer Society’s website [xii].
Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Month
Carcinoid cancer is a cancer that is comprised of slow-growing tumors that typically form in the lungs or gastrointestinal tract [xiii]. This is the most common type of cancer in the appendix and women are more often affected by carcinoid tumors than men [xiii]. The month of November sheds light on efforts to improve diagnostics, treatment and information for care and research for carcinoid cancer [xiv]. How can you get involved?
- Take part in World NET Cancer Day on November 10th by using #LetsTalkAboutNets [xiv].
- Looking for a support group? Check out these resources to find a support group in your area [xv].
- Use the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation’s Patient Resources to educate yourself and others about diagnosis, treatments and more [xv].
References
- Lung Cancer Awareness. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/lungcancer/index.htm
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Retrieved from: https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/lung-force/about-lung-force/featured-campaigns/lung-cancer-awareness-month.html
- November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Retreived from: https://lcfamerica.org/get-involved/november-lung-cancer-awareness-month/
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Retrieved from: https://lungevity.org/for-supporters-advocates/lung-cancer-awareness-month-0
- Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Retrieved from: https://www.pancan.org/get-involved/pancreatic-cancer-awareness/
- Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is Here!. Retrieved from: https://www.pancan.org/news/pancreatic-cancer-awareness-month-is-here/
- November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Retrieved from: http://pancreatic.org/november/
- November is National Family Caregivers Month. Retrieved from: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2019/national-family-caregivers-month.html
- National Family Caregivers Month Background. Retrieved from: https://caregiveraction.org/national-family-caregivers-month-background
- Making Strides Against Gastric Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.aacrfoundation.org/Pages/Gastric-Cancer-Awareness-Month.aspx
- Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. Retrieved from: https://www.nostomachforcancer.org/get-involved/stomach-cancer-awareness-month
- Stomach Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer.html
- Carcinoid Cancer: What It Is and Where We Are. Retrieved from: https://www.nfcr.org/blog/carcinoid-cancer-what-it-is-where-we-are/
- NET Cancer Day. Retrieved from: https://incalliance.org/net-cancer-day/).
- The Carcinoid Cancer Foundation. Retrieved from: https://www.carcinoid.org