November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and Marion County Public Health wants citizens to take steps to prevent this disease.

According to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America, 1 in 16 people can expect to receive a lung cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and only one out of every four  will be caught in early stages. The foundation also says it is the number one killer among women in the US, surpassing breast cancer in 1987, and during the past 39 years, the death rate for men has decreased by 29% and increased for women by 101%. Marion County Public Health said it’s important to get screened if you notice something is off or you might be displaying symptoms of the disease. Although smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, Del Bennett with Marion County Public Health said there are other ways to protect your lungs.

“Exercise, drink water, get out and about, visit people. Just get out there and visit with people to exercise your lungs and get fresh air.”

Survival rate for lung cancer increased by 60% if caught in the early stages. Hear more from Del Bennett on today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville.