WHEREAS, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and in Nevada; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society estimates 2,110 Nevadans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2024, and 1,050 will die of the disease; and

WHEREAS, lung cancer can result from smoking, secondhand smoke, radon, chemicals or air pollution, or a family history of lung cancer; and smoking and secondhand smoke exposure disproportionately affect people of racial and gender minorities and those with low socio-economic status, increasing their risk for lung cancer; and

WHEREAS, deaths from lung cancer have declined consistently for over a decade due to increased prevention and treatment innovations, but screening remains extremely low, with Nevada ranking 47th among all states for screening those at high risk for the disease; and

WHEREAS, only about 1.4 percent of those eligible for lung cancer screening in Nevada and at high risk for lung cancer have been screened; and

WHEREAS, some people do not get screened for lung cancer, or receive treatment after diagnosis due to stigma or lack of access to screening and treatment; and

WHEREAS, people of color are more likely to be targeted by tobacco marketing, diagnosed late with lung cancer, less likely to receive treatment, and have lower survival rates overall; and

WHEREAS, those living in persistent poverty have a 16.5% higher lung cancer mortality rate and are more likely to have higher cancer risk factors, including cigarette smoking and less access to healthcare; and

WHEREAS, the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Section and partners such as Nevada Cancer Coalition are working to increase awareness of lung cancer screening, reduce the stigma associated with the disease, reduce exposure to risk factors, and ensure more Nevadans receive lung cancer screening;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of November 2024 as

LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN NEVADA