Pulmonologists from UT Erlanger Respiratory and Critical Care will kick off National Women’s Lung Health Week as they “Climb for Air” at the High Point Climbing and Fitness wall on Friday, beginning at 6 p.m.
As various businesses and buildings in downtown Chattanooga prepare for the American Lung Association’s Lung Force Turquoise Takeover the week of May 11, Erlanger specialists John Boldt, MD; Upasana Chakraborty, MD; John Gunter, MD; Niraj Niraula, MD; and Sibaji Shome, MD will bring attention and awareness to women’s lung health by climbing the High Point Climbing and Fitness wall and challenging other area pulmonologists to do the same.
Officials said, "Lung Force is a national movement led by the American Lung Association to unite women in the fight against lung cancer and for lung health. Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of women in our country. Every eight minutes, a woman in the United States dies of lung cancer."
The Turquoise Takeover represents air, breathing and healthy lungs – and the force it takes to improve lung health. Landmarks throughout the country and local buildings like the Tennessee Aquarium, High Point Climbing and Fitness and Liberty Tower in downtown Chattanooga will display the color to bring awareness to women’s lung health.
Fast Facts on Lung Cancer:
- Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of both men and women, yet less than 1% of women are aware of this.
- Every five minutes, a woman in the United States is told that she has lung cancer. Every eight minutes, a woman in the United States dies of lung cancer.
- On average, less than half of all women diagnosed with lung cancer will be alive one year after diagnosis. Only 16% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are still alive after five years, compared with over 90 percent of breast and prostate cancer patients.
- Anyone can get lung cancer. Lung cancer in women is often underdiagnosed and frequently untreated.