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One of the best things you can do for overall good health is to quit smoking or never start in the first place. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and the Great American Smokeout is on the third Thursday of November each year - Nov. 19 in 2026.
The good news is that cigarette smoking rates have been declining for decades. Yet lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., accounting for about one in five of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined.
Not every case of lung cancer is caused by smoking. Other causes can include exposure to radon, secondhand smoke and air pollution. There are also workplace exposures, including asbestos, diesel exhaust and other chemicals.
Yet cigarette smoking remains the most preventable cause of serious illness and death. The American Cancer Society reports:
• Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke cause more than 480,000 deaths in the U.S. every year.
• Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of developing at least 12 different cancers.
• Cigarette smoking causes about three of every 10 cancer deaths.
No matter your age or how long you've been smoking, your health starts to improve immediately when you quit.
Quitting is not an easy journey, but you can increase your chances of success with a good plan and support. Getting help through counseling and medications doubles or even triples your chances of quitting successfully. Ask your primary care provider to help you get started.
If you're a smoker or former smoker, you may be eligible for a low-dose CT scan, which can detect lung nodules or abnormalities before symptoms develop. Yearly screenings are the best way to detect signs of lung cancer in the earliest stages when it's more treatable. Early detection also expands your treatment options.
Generally, you are eligible for a lung cancer screening if:
• You are between ages 50-77.
• You currently smoke or have quit in the last 15 years.
• You have a history of smoking for 20 pack years or more. A pack year is equal to smoking one pack (or about 20 cigarettes) per day for a year. For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking one pack a day for 20 years, or by smoking two packs a day for 10 years.
The best way to understand your screening eligibility is to ask your primary care doctor. They understand your health history best and can help you determine your risk for developing lung cancer.
Vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking. Vaping carries significant risks including lung disease and cardiovascular strain.
Cigars and smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, are linked to head and neck cancers, esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Avera has a specialized team dedicated to lung cancer treatment, which may include a range of options depending on the type and stage of cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy.
During this month of lung cancer awareness, consider your own lung health. If you smoke, you can significantly reduce your risk by quitting. It can start with a conversation in your doctor's office - our local primary care providers are ready to help.
-- Debbie Streier is the regional president/CEO of Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center