LUNGevity's 'Breathe Deep TOGETHER' Campaign Brings Awareness to Lung Cancer Misconceptions

Lung cancer is often a disease that many people misunderstand, which can create issues as these misconceptions can delay diagnoses and burden those who already have the disease.

LUNGevity, a nonprofit focused on lung cancer awareness and research, is working to change these misunderstandings.

The organization’s message, “Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer,” is a key part of their annual Breathe Deep TOGETHER event.

This event brings people together from all over to raise awareness, supports those dealing with lung cancer and funds important research.

One of the biggest misconceptions about lung cancer is that it only affects smokers, according to Amy Moore, vice president of Global Engagement and Research Partnerships at LUNGevity.

This belief can be dangerous as it could lead to non-smokers thinking they are not at risk, then ignoring symptoms and getting diagnosed late.

Moore explained that this myth also creates the unfortunate stigma of making people feel judged or blamed for having lung cancer.

According to the CDC, lung cancer can also be caused by secondhand smoke, radon, air pollution, family history and asbestos, with 10% to 20% of cases in the U.S. occurring in people who never smoked, including an estimated 7,300 from secondhand smoke and 2,900 from radon annually.

“Public awareness campaigns can help correct this by emphasizing that ‘Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer,’” Moore said. “This message broadens the understanding of risk and encourages both individuals and the healthcare system to take symptoms seriously, leading to earlier detection and potentially better outcomes.”

LUNGevity’s phrase is simple but powerful, she adds.

It resonates “with a broad audience by emphasizing universal vulnerability regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or social determinants of health,” she said. “This message aims to increase public awareness by shifting the focus from blame to education. It has encouraged a more inclusive conversation about lung cancer and has been instrumental in promoting lung health across all demographics.”

Like the phrase, the annual Breathe Deep TOGETHER event has grown nationwide, only starting with a few local walks. Over time, a significant part of the event has become the Lung Health Resource Fair.

This year, the event will be held in cities like Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C.

Moore shared the Lung Health Resource Fair will provide information all about lung health from experts, advocacy groups, wellness activities and resources to help visitors understand more about lung cancer.

Besides raising awareness and providing support, the Breathe Deep TOGETHER event aims to raise funds for LUNGevity’s Translational Research Awards Program, which supports projects focused on early lung cancer screening, understanding why some treatments stop working and creating new treatments.

Some of the latest research includes work by Lawrence Benjamin, M.D., clinical instructor in Pulmonary and Critical Care at University of California Los Angeles, who is looking into best lung cancer screening practices, and partnerships with patient-led groups that have raised nearly $6 million for research, Moore shared.

As LUNGevity looks to the future, they’re committed to spreading the word about lung cancer even more and improving early detection rates. The foundation plans to keep pushing their public awareness campaigns, especially messages like “Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer,” to help break down the stigma and promote better understanding of lung health.

They want to keep the conversation going nationwide, helping more people recognize the risks and the importance of early detection.