Lung Cancer Public Forum on November 25

The Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) is inviting all Jamaicans to attend and support its 3rd staging of the Lung Cancer Public Forum, which will take place on Sunday, November 25.

The forum, which forms part of activities to mark Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Guardian Life Centre, located at 12 Trafalgar Road, New Kingston.

Fundraising and Public Relations Officer at the JCS, Shullian Brown, said the event will seek to educate the public about the harmful effects of smoking.

She said that not only does the habit affect the smoker, but it can cause heart disease and tobacco-related illnesses in non-smokers.

General Practitioner and Volunteer at the JCS, Dr. Aldyth Buckland, said studies have indicated that tobacco kills more than 5 million people each year, whether through lung cancer or heart disease.

She said that tobacco smoking is responsible for one-third of heart disease deaths and one-third of cancer deaths.  “An alarming 600,000 second-hand smokers die each year, including 165,000 children, and if trends continue, 250 million children and young people alive today will die from tobacco-related diseases,” she informed.

Inviting the public to attend the forum, she said it will provide information about tobacco smoke, as well as the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

There will be presentations on a number of topics including: Smoking and Ways Toward Lifestyle Change by Dr. Anthony Allen; Lung Cancer and Other Complications of Smoking by Dr. Terry Baker; Managing Lung Cancer with Herbs and Acupuncture, by Dr. Tracey-Ann Brown; while Dr. Buckland will speak about the work of the Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control.

Established in 1955, the JCS implements activities for the prevention and control of cancer in Jamaica.