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From the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation -
GIVE... and Efforts to Wipe Out Lung Cancer Shall RECEIVEIn this traditional season of giving and gratefulness, I am delighted to report that we continue to make monumental strides in our efforts to eradicate Lung Cancer.Last week's third annual Simply the Best Dinner Gala was a celebration of giving to our cause. Thanks to your efforts and generosity, the event drew a packed house of 650 at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in San Francisco and raised over $800,000.A special THANK YOU to Kayce Jennings and Lynn Sherr, guests of honor, who helped us pay tribute to the life and legacy of Peter Jennings, the ABC anchor of "World News Tonight," who battled Lung Cancer with the same intensity, sense of humor and passionate spirit he brought to sharing the world's events with us for decades. Thanks to them - and you - we continue to raise the profile of and gain global awareness for Lung Cancer.

Cancer rate declines for first time in ten years

By Octavia Mitchell
Anchor / Reporter WCBD - Charleston
Published: November 25, 2008
...Although the report brings good news, there are large state and regional differences in lung cancer rates. Dr. Alberg (Hollings Cancer Center) says, “As a nation these results are great news. I think we do need to look at our situation in South Carolina, so there are not as favorable news as the nation as a whole. For example, the lung cancer mortality rates that have been decreasing, we have the 13th highest lung cancer mortality rate, and that’s directly attributable to our lack of attention to smoking control in South Carolina.”

Lung Cancer Needs Awareness Too

Newswise/University of Michigan Health System — Lung cancer kills more than four times as many Americans as breast cancer. But while pink ribbons trumpet Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October, little attention is paid to lung cancer in November, which is that disease’s awareness month.
“My wish is the world would stand up and say we’ve done so well with breast cancer, let’s now do the same for lung cancer,” says Douglas Arenberg, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine and a lung cancer specialist at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Once people are aware of the facts, they start scratching their heads and thinking we need to do something about this,” Arenberg says.

Declines In U.S. Cancer Incidence And Death Rates According to Annual Report

ScienceDaily (Nov. 25, 2008) — A new report from the nation's leading cancer organizations shows that, for the first time since the report was first issued in 1998, both incidence and death rates for all cancers combined are decreasing for both men and women, driven largely by declines in some of the most common types of cancer. The report notes that, although the decreases in overall cancer incidence and death rates are encouraging, large state and regional differences in lung cancer trends among women underscore the need to strengthen many state tobacco control programs.

Why Only Some Former Smokers Develop Lung Cancer

ScienceDaily (Nov. 21, 2008) — Canadian researchers are trying to answer why some smokers develop lung cancer while others remain disease free, despite similar lifestyle changes.

Broccoli May Lower Lung Cancer Risk In Smokers

ScienceDaily (Nov. 19, 2008) — The cancer preventive properties of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables appear to work specifically in smokers, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Seventh Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research

Differing Genetic Makeup Of Lung Cancer In African-American Patients Shown

ScienceDaily (Nov. 14, 2008) — The tumors of African-American non-small cell lung cancer patients are more likely to carry a higher number of copies of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene and fewer mutations of EGFR itself than Caucasians according to a study presented at the 2008 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology, cosponsored by ASTRO, ASCO, IASLC and the University of Chicago.

LCA President and Advocates Ring NASDAQ Opening Bell

Today, LCA President & CEO Laurie Fenton Ambrose and LCA-NY advocates joined NASDAQ Executive Vice President, John Jacobs to open the market. At 9:30am, flanked by advocates, LCA staff and lung cancer researchers Laurie ceremoniously "rang" the opening bell for NASDAQ. The entire ceremony can be viewed here. In addition, LCA's Public Service Announcement featuring Cal Ripken, Jr. played on the NASDAQ Tower throughout the morning. Special thanks to LCA-NY advocate Richard Heimler for making this happen!

Proton Therapy And Concurrent Chemotherapy May Reduce Bone Marrow Toxicity In Advanced Lung Cancer

ScienceDaily (Nov. 14, 2008) — Patients treated for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer who receive chemotherapy and proton beam therapy have fewer instances of bone marrow toxicity than patients who receive the standard treatment of intensity-modulated radiation (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy, according to researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Novel Four-drug Combination Proves Safe For Lung Cancer Treatment

ScienceDaily (Nov. 14, 2008) — The four drug-combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel, with the targeted therapies bevacizumab (Avastin) and cetuximab (Erbitux), is safe and may improve survival for patients with advanced lung cancer, according to a cooperative group study led by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Gender Is Key Factor In Determining Overall Survival Of Lung Cancer Patients

ScienceDaily (Nov. 14, 2008) — Even though some combinations of gender, race and/or marital status can factor into the overall survival of nonoperative non-small cell lung cancer patients, gender is the most significant factor impacting overall survival, according to a study presented at the 2008 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology, sponsored by ASTRO, ASCO, IASLC and the University of Chicago.

LCA News:LCA and AstraZeneca Release Stigma Survey Results

SURVEY SHOWS LUNG CANCER PATIENTS BLAMED FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS
As public support decreases, so do research dollars and patient hope

Washington, DC, November 12, 2008 – Survey results released today show that the general population blames lung cancer patients for their diagnosis, confirming the stigma that patients reportedly feel. Findings also demonstrate a lack of public support for patients and a need for greater research for the number one cancer killer. Conducted by Lung Cancer Alliance and AstraZeneca, LP (NYSE: AZN), the national survey assessed the views of lung cancer patients, oncologists and the general public on lung cancer, support for lung cancer organizations, research funding for the disease, and availability of appropriate treatment options.
“This survey reinforces what the lung cancer community has felt for decades – public perception of this disease is overwhelmingly negative,” said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, President and CEO of Lung Cancer Alliance. “We’ve got to do more to overcome this pervasive stigma and focus attention where it should be -- on research for early detection and treatment for lung cancer.”

ABC of San Francisco reports: Survivor urges early lung cancer screening

November 12, 2008
By Cheryl Jennings
REDWOOD CITY, CA (KGO) -- You may be surprised to know that lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. People do not like to talk about it because there is a stigma associated with smoking, but lung cancer is also striking down more non-smokers. We talked to a lung cancer survivor whose family is using every tool available to save lives.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/health&id=6502358

Greenville News: Join the race and support Lungs for Life

By Rick Pennell • November 5, 2008

I still cannot believe that my friend, Caine Halter, is gone. Caine was a 45-year-old nonsmoker and his life was cut short by lung cancer. Caine was my same age. We shared similar interests and priorities in our lives -- family, friends, community and faith. Our children were growing up together and forging relationships, like ours, that would last a lifetime. Caine was engaging and always positive and always brought out the best of those around him.
(Read more by clicking on the title above.)

Caine Halter Lungs for Life run/walk in Greenville, SC

Join other South Carolinians for the inaugural Caine Halter Lungs for Life run/walk and join the fight against lung cancer. The Lungs for Life mission is to promote awareness of this deadly disease, fund critical research and help to provide hope for the future.
Caine Halter was a healthy, 45-year old non-smoker whose life was taken by lung cancer in August 2007 after a valiant 13-month battle. Inspired by his courage and grace, Caine's family and friends are committed to raising funds for lung cancer research in his honor, so that others diagnosed may have a fighting chance to live.

Lung cancer is the #1 cancer-killer of both men and women in the US, but receives the least research funding. Your participation and support CAN make a difference in this fight. Run or Walk. Start or Join a Team. Raise Pledges. Make Donations. Give Any Way You Can.

All proceeds from the Caine Halter Lungs for Life event will benefit Uniting Against Lung Cancer, a 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to funding innovative research and finding a cure for lung cancer.

Date & Time
Saturday, November 8, 20089:00 a.m. 1 Mile Fun Walk9:30 a.m. 5K Run/Walk
Race Location
YMCA - Caine Halter Family Branch721 Cleveland StreetGreenville, SC 29601

LCA Kicks off Lung Cancer Awareness Month with the release of the 2008 National Report Card.

Lung Cancer Alliance has released its “4th Annual National Report Card on Lung Cancer” along with our LCA-CA, LCA-GA and LCA-MA chapters “State Report Cards on Lung Cancer”. These annual assessments measure progress on the federal and state levels to reduce lung cancer’s high mortality. Read the "grades" at the link above.

President George W. Bush Recognizes Lung Cancer Awareness Month

CancerCare reports: MEDIA COVERAGE OF LUNG CANCER IS INCREASING — AND INCREASINGLY NEGATIVE, NEW REPORT SHOWS

More focus on smoking and tobacco use in lung cancer reporting, less on survivorship

NEW YORK, October 28, 2008 — CancerCare today announced that despite an overall increase in news reporting on lung cancer, the overall tone of lung cancer media coverage has become significantly more negative. "How the U.S. Media Report on Cancer" an analysis of lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer coverage, was an independent report conducted by CARMA International Inc. for CancerCare; previous analyses were issued in 2000 and 2004. The report evaluated volume of coverage for each of the cancer types, topics of discussion, favorability and tone for the period August 2007 through July 2008.
For the first time since the 2000 report, coverage of smoking and tobacco use as it relates to lung cancer increased. Smoking and tobacco use featured prominently in 44 percent of lung cancer coverage—up from 31 percent in the 2003–2004 analysis.
"The prominence of smoking in media reports on lung cancer may be contributing to the stigma that lung cancer patients say they feel, regardless of whether or not they have smoked," said Diane Blum, Executive Director of CancerCare. "We're hopeful that research on new screening methods and new treatments will broaden the scope of lung cancer coverage and help reduce the stigma that people with lung cancer feel."
The report also noted that breast cancer coverage, with the highest favorability rating, often featured personal stories of breast cancer survivors or a celebrity advocating for greater awareness of the disease. In contrast, none of the lung cancer articles and reports analyzed included a lung cancer survivor story, likely contributing to the negative favorability rating. Moreover, of the four cancers analyzed, lung cancer garnered the lowest volume of stories discussing treatment.
Across all four cancers, media reporting on cancer research increased since the 2004 report, accounting for 39 percent of coverage. Cancer treatment remained an important topic for all cancers.
"CancerCare works with lung cancer patients and survivors every day, and we know a lung cancer diagnosis can be frightening for patients, families and caregivers," said Win Boerckel, CancerCare's National Lung Cancer Program coordinator. "We encourage the press to consider how they report on lung cancer, specifically the prominence of smoking as a risk factor, and to include survivor stories and resources when possible."
Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in men and women (after prostate and breast, respectively). Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related death in both men and women. There are more than 50,000 people who survive lung cancer each year.
Important findings from the analysis include:

• Cancer research was the most discussed issue in cancer coverage during the 2007–2008 period


• Of the four cancers, lung cancer had the greatest increase in coverage volume between this period and last period


• Positive message penetration—that is, stories carrying at least one positive message—declined from 36 percent during the 1999–2000 period to only 28 percent in 2007–2008


• Of the four cancers analyzed, lung cancer garnered the lowest percentage of stories discussing treatment (24 percent)


• No lung cancer survivors were quoted in the lung cancer coverage analyzed for the 2007–2008 period