Posted on October 27, 2026

Nearly 125,000 Americans will die of lung cancer this year alone, and many of those deaths can be prevented. This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, ADAO is calling on you to learn about your risk, ask about screening, and speak up for the people you love.

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but as many as 1 in 5 people diagnosed never smoked. Asbestos is another known cause, and exposure to asbestos is entirely preventable. That is why ADAO champions the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act of 2026 (S. 5235 and H.R. 5373), which would finally ban asbestos in the United States.

Early detection changes everything. When lung cancer is found early, about 65% of people are still alive five years later, compared with about 10% when it is found late. Yet only about 19% of people eligible for screening for lung cancer are up to date with those potentially life-saving screens.

Remembering 9/11

The toxic cloud from the World Trade Center contained asbestos, glass fibers, lead, and silica. Cancers can take 20 to 40 years to appear, and lung cancer is among the most common cancers in survivors enrolled in the federal World Trade Center Health Program. If you were in Lower Manhattan after 9/11, visit cdc.gov/wtc to learn about enrolling. We have also provided a 9/11 Resource Hub to help you navigate available health resources, understand eligibility requirements, and access information about federal programs, including the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. 

Five Things You Can Do This Month

  1. Know where asbestos may be. Older homes, schools, and workplaces are the most likely places, especially during renovations or after disasters.
  2. Tell your doctor your exposure history. Mention asbestos work, military service, time in Lower Manhattan after 9/11, or years in older buildings.
  3. Ask about screening. Annual low-dose CT scans are recommended for adults ages 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. Some guidelines also consider asbestos exposure. Screening is for people without symptoms.
  4. Don’t ignore symptoms. A cough that won’t go away, chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath can signal lung disease. See your doctor promptly.
  5. Quit smoking. Smoking and asbestos together raise lung cancer risk far more than either one alone. Free help is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Please share these five steps. One conversation could save a life. We are stronger together.

Hear Asbestos. Think Prevention.

In unity,

Linda Reinstein