Lung cancer awareness will be the topic of a Community Health Improvement Network Lunch & Learn event slated for Thursday, Dec. 10, at NorthPark Church.

Dr. Asad Khan, who specializes in interventional pulmonology and critical care medicine at Ochsner Rush Health, will present the informal, informative session, which will begin at noon. The Lunch & Learn is free and open to the public.

 

Lung cancer, both small cell and non-small cell, is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.

An estimated 234,580 new lung and bronchus cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed nationwide in 2024, according to the National Cancer Institute. Lung cancer also is responsible for the most cancer deaths with 125,070 people expected to die from the disease this year.

In Mississippi, lung cancer accounts for more deaths than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined, according to the Mississippi Department of Health’s Office of Preventive Health. Between 2017 and 2021, 12,984 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer were reported in the state, along with 8,979 deaths.

Cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer.

“Lung cancer also can happen in people who have never smoked,” Khan said. “Quitting smoking, even after smoking for many years, significantly lowers the chances of developing lung cancer.”

Beverly Knox, president of Community Health Improvement Network, said the workshop is one of numerous community health education events being sponsored by CHIN in partnership with Meridian area organizations, churches and hospitals. CHIN is a rural health network that merged several years ago with The Montgomery Institute.

“The most valued part of the Lunch & Learn are the discussions between community residents and medical professionals,” Knox said “Open dialogue concerning community health and health screening opportunities can help stop or even prevent more serious illnesses.”

Anyone interested in attending the Lunch & Learn is asked to RSVP to CHIN at 601-483-2661 by Friday, Dec. 6. NorthPark Church is located at 7770 Highway 39 North.