Lung Cancer: Behind Every Statistic is a Story That Didn’t Have to End
November 14, 2025
Every life lost to lung cancer represents a story cut short, and a reminder of how urgently awareness must become action. Each November, as we recognize Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the lives taken by one of the world’s deadliest cancers, and we renew our commitment to saving more.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, claiming more than 125,000 lives each year. With a five-year relative survival rate of only 32% and 9% for non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, respectively, the disease claims more lives each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Yet despite its devastating toll, early detection can make all the difference—and too few people are getting screened.
For decades, lung cancer was seen as a disease that only affected smokers. But that perception is dangerously outdated. Today, doctors are seeing more cases among nonsmokers—men and women who never lit a cigarette.
Meanwhile, a new threat has emerged in vaping, particularly among younger generations. While often marketed as a “safer” alternative, the long-term effects of vaping are far from fully understood. Early research suggests that exposure to certain chemicals in vape aerosols could cause damage to lung tissue and increase cancer risk over time. If we’ve learned anything from the tobacco era, it’s that delayed awareness costs lives.
Unfortunately, when you’re showing symptoms associated with lung cancer, it’s often too late. That’s why screening is critical. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual low-dose CT scans for adults ages 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history, including those who quit within the past 15 years. This simple, painless test can detect lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages, when survival rates are far higher. Unfortunately, national screening rates remain alarmingly low, with fewer than one in six eligible Americans getting screened each year.
We could discuss statistics all day, but behind every statistic is a story that didn’t have to end: the father who thought his cough was nothing, the grandmother who never knew she qualified for screening, the young professional who believed vaping was harmless. Their diagnoses often come too late. But when found early, lung cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. It can be fought—and beaten.
This month, take a moment to think about your lungs and those of the people you love. If you or someone you know has ever smoked, even casually, talk to your doctor about screening. If you have children or teens, talk to them about the dangers of vaping (and smoking) before it’s too late.
Awareness is only the first step. Action saves lives.
Lung cancer screening is not just a medical test; it’s an act of hope. It’s a chance to catch cancer before it catches you. This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, breathe easier and take that first, lifesaving step.
Visit TMH Physician Partners - Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep to see Dr. Carlos E. Campo, and start building your personalized care plan today.
