National Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Breathe awareness during National Lung Cancer Awareness Month! Lung cancer kills more Americans than any other cancer. Screening saves lives, and awareness reduces stigma.
About National Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Breathe awareness during National Lung Cancer Awareness Month! Lung cancer kills more Americans than any other cancer. Screening saves lives, and awareness reduces stigma.
History & origins
National Lung Cancer Awareness Month is observed each November as a public awareness campaign focused on lung cancer education, screening, and stigma reduction. Its exact origin is not clearly documented in a single founding proclamation, but it has long been promoted in the United States by lung-health and cancer advocacy organizations such as the American Lung Association and LUNGevity. Today, it is centered in the United States and supported by national nonprofit campaigns throughout November.
Why it matters
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, so the month helps push attention toward early detection and evidence-based screening. It also matters because awareness campaigns can encourage people at high risk to talk with a clinician about low-dose CT screening and can help reduce the stigma that still surrounds the disease.
How to celebrate
Support lung cancer research. Get screened if high-risk. Learn about early detection. Share screening guidelines. Reduce lung cancer stigma.
Facts
- Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer
- 234,000+ new cases diagnosed annually in US
- Screening reduces lung cancer deaths by 20%
- Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer
- Early detection dramatically improves survival
Frequently asked questions
When is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month in 2026?
National Lung Cancer Awareness Month in 2026 is observed throughout November 2026. It is a month-long observance rather than a single-day holiday.
What is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month?
It is an annual awareness observance dedicated to lung cancer education, early detection, and support for patients and families. The month also highlights the message that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.
Who started National Lung Cancer Awareness Month?
The exact founder is unclear. The observance is best understood as a nonprofit-led awareness campaign that was popularized by lung health and cancer advocacy groups in the United States rather than by a single formal founder.
How do you celebrate National Lung Cancer Awareness Month?
You can support lung cancer research, share screening information, and learn whether you or a loved one is at high risk. If someone meets screening criteria, the recommended test is a yearly low-dose CT scan.
Is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month official?
It is an awareness observance, not a federal holiday. It is promoted by health organizations to encourage education, screening, and support for people affected by lung cancer.
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