SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Opinion

Discussion

The Salem News has a real-name policy for commenting. Users may sign in using the Facebook Connect tool above the comments field. Once your first comment is posted by a moderator, all future comments will post automatically. If you prefer not to use Facebook, send an e-mail with your comments user name (which must be the same as your real name), city or town, street address and daytime phone number to comments@salemnews.com. A staff member will contact you directly to confirm your identity. It may take a day or two before you can post comments. Only your user name will be public. All users are required to follow our rules for commenting, which can be found here.

comments powered by Disqus
November 10, 2008

Letter: You can help in the fight against lung cancer

To the editor:

It will be three years next month since my beloved husband of 48 years, Edwin R. Emerson, retired fire chief in Ipswich, succumbed to the deadliest cancer of all, lung cancer. I write now because November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, enacted into law by Gov. Patrick in February 2007.

More than 215,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. in 2008, and the majority will die in less than a year. While new numbers continue to show a decline in lung cancer mortality rates among men, the mortality rate for women is still going up.

Last spring Congress approved (and Bush signed) a bill for a new, $20-million lung cancer research program at the Department of Defense. The legislation specifically notes that lung cancer is the most lethal of all cancers, taking more lives each year than all other major cancers combined; and that military personnel have heightened exposure to lung cancer carcinogens. The bill, sponsored by Rear Admiral Phil Coady, USN (Ret.), who himself recently passed away due to lung cancer, requires the Army to provide a plan for how the $20 million will be spent.

The push for early detection, the prime factor for 5-year survival rate, is beginning to grow. This past summer three major TV networks combined in a production to promote lung cancer awareness. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) are cosponsoring S. 3187, the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act. Both senators are putting forth efforts to make the fight against lung cancer a national health priority.

I urge readers to contact U.S. legislators and ask them to add their support to S. 3187. Go to lungcanceralliance.org for more information regarding this devastating disease, and to advocate for non-smoking and early detection for those at risk.

Jean Emerson

Ipswich

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Opinion

Nelson Benton Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter
Salem News Opinion Poll
AP Video
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate' Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Comments Tracker
Roll Call
Helium debate
Helium