Following the recent recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that individuals most at risk for lung cancer be screened, Lung Cancer Alliance has launched a national multimedia public education campaign urging individuals to assess their risk for lung cancer. The “Moments” campaign is appearing in cities nationwide and focuses on the inherent beauty of everyday, potentially missed moments.
Reduction in Mortality
The campaign follows USPSTF’s July announcement recommending scans for those considered at high-risk for lung cancer. In making its recommendation, the panel considered facts from the National Lung Screening Trial, which concluded that computed tomography scans were more effective than x-rays in detecting lung cancer and that lung cancer, if caught early enough, could see a great reduction in mortality rates.
The Moments campaign alerts individuals to include factors beyond smoking when considering their own risk for disease. The effort includes television and Facebook ads, out-of-home placements, online video ads, and a “Map Your Moment” tool.
‘Monumental Move’
Laurie Fenton-Ambrose, President and CEO of Lung Cancer Alliance, called USPSTF’s recommendation “a monumental move in the fight against lung cancer,” cautioning that “now people need to know if they are at risk and if they are, take action.” Ms. Fenton-Ambrose added, “Lung cancer is the top cancer killer in the United States and we know scanning those at risk can and will save lives. Gaining this recommendation has been our top priority and we will continue to do everything we can to reach the public with this important health information.”
Lung Cancer Alliance, which has been advocating for better lung cancer screening protocols for over 10 years, uses its most recent campaign to direct people to its online Risk Navigator, www.atriskforlungcancer.org. The site features questions that the user answers in order to determine his or her own risk for lung cancer. ■
