Mark A. McDonnell, RS, MS, Health Commissioner

Robert P. Dillaplain, MD, Medical Director

News Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Sara T. Pappa, Public Information Officer

November 18, 2008 937-374-5662/866-858-3588

Greene County Combined Health District Observes

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

(XENIA, OH) The Greene County Combined Health District (GCCHD) and the Tobacco-Free Healthy Communities Coalition announce that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a national campaign to raise awareness and educate Americans about the causes and dangers of lung cancer. According to the America Cancer Society (ACS), more than 215,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 161,840 people will die from lung cancer in the U.S. this year. The ACS lists Ohio as having 9,510 lung cancer cases and 7,350 deaths this year. The disease is the deadliest, and most preventable, form of cancer. It kills more people than breast, prostate, colon, melanoma and kidney cancers combined. Those at greatest risk are those who currently smoke, or have smoked in the past. Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of premature death in Ohio.

The Tobacco-Free Healthy Communities Coalition offers tobacco cessation and prevention services in the following Counties: Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Highland, Madison and Warren.

What can you do?

Become an advocate for a smoke-free community! Call Greene County Combined Health District and ask about how you can help and how they can assist you or someone you know in quitting. GCCHD is able to provide cessation services and free Nicotine Replace products (patches and gum).

Take part in the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 20, sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS). This event challenges people to stop smoking and raises awareness for the many ways to successfully quit. Visit www.cancer.org for details.

Take advantage of the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUITNOW), a free, phone-based counseling service that helps Ohio tobacco users quit by providing one-on-one coaching and support for family and friends to help their loved ones stop smoking.

For more information, please call Certified Tobacco Cessation Specialist Bruce Barcelo at (937) 374-5656 or email at bbarcelo@gcchd.org.

Greene County Combined Health District – Your center for public health services and health information in Greene County for over 80 years.

Healthy People…Healthy Communities

360 Wilson Drive

Xenia, OH 45385

937-374-5600 * 866-858-3588 * Fax 937-374-5675