Lung Cancer Alliance Responds To Presidential Cancer Panel's Warnings On Environmental Cancer Links

Washington, DC [May 6, 2010] -- Lung Cancer Alliance President and CEO Laurie Fenton-Ambrose said today that the President’s Cancer Panel’s report on environmental links to cancer is a strong call to action for more comprehensive research and preventative measures on lung cancer.

The report states that the “true burden of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated,” and lists over 40 cancer causing agents including radon, certain metals such as beryllium and chromium and cadmium, herbicides, motor vehicle exhaust and creosotes used in products ranging from road paving to laxatives.

According to the report, there is “strong evidence” of a causal link to lung cancer for 15 of 40 specific agents, and a suspected link with another five - making lung cancer the most often cited of all environmentally linked cancers.

“The implications of this report are profound and bolsters our position that lung cancer must be addressed as a national public health priority with a comprehensive, aggressive and coordinated plan of attack,” Fenton-Ambrose said.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, taking more lives each year than the next four biggest cancers - breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers - combined.

To read Presidential Cancer Panel's full report on environemental cancer links, click here.

Lung Cancer Alliance, www.lungcanceralliance.org, is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to patient support and advocacy for people living with lung cancer and those at risk for the disease.  LCA is dedicated to reversing decades of stigma and neglect by empowering those with or at risk for the disease, elevating awareness and changing health policy.

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