Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Promoting knowledge and support for a health challenge, uniting to improve outcomes and provide hope for affected individuals.
Position your health/wellness brand or cessation product as a partner in lung cancer prevention and early detection during November's high-awareness window.
- Share lung cancer screening myths vs. facts to drive preventive health conversations
- Feature quit-smoking success stories and connect to your cessation support resources
- Host or sponsor a workplace lung health awareness event to reach professionals and families
- Partner with nonprofits on educational content about early detection and risk factors
Campaign ideas7
- Launch a 'Screening Stories' video series featuring survivors of all backgrounds—smokers, non-smokers, young, old—to shatter myths and reach at-risk populations often excluded from messaging.
- Partner with beauty/lifestyle retailers to create in-store white ribbon displays, point-of-sale donation prompts, and staff training to normalize conversations about screening eligibility.
- Host a 'Breathe Deep' wellness event series (in-person + virtual) combining lung health education, free or subsidized screening info sessions, and community walks to drive local engagement and reach diverse neighborhoods.
- Create interactive digital tools: a screening eligibility quiz with personalized results, risk-factor calculators, and symptom checkers that drive traffic to healthcare providers.
- Run a peer-to-peer fundraising/awareness campaign where employees or community members create personal landing pages tied to their stories—like Movember, but for lung cancer screening.
- Design limited-edition merchandise (t-shirts, hats, white ribbons/pins) sold through an online store with proceeds funding research—creates walking billboards and conversation starters.
- Sponsor National Lung Cancer Screening Day (November 9) with multi-channel pushes: email, social, paid ads, influencer partnerships, and partnerships with local health systems to drive screening appointments.
Social angles6
- "Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer." Highlight diverse survivor stories (non-smokers, young people, former smokers) using #AnyoneWithLungs #LCAM to combat stigma and broaden awareness.
- White Ribbon Project: Share user-generated photos of people wearing/holding white ribbons with #WhiteRibbonProject #LungCancerAwarenessMonth—builds community, honors loved ones, visual proof of solidarity.
- "You stopped smoking. Now start screening." Empower former smokers to take next-step action with #ScreenForLife #SavedByTheScan—focus on positive health steps, not shame.
- Myth-busting carousel posts: Debunk 'only smokers get lung cancer,' 'no symptoms = no risk,' 'screening is painful'—use #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #FightLungCancer with data-backed facts.
- #HearHer campaign angle: Elevate women's voices in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions—highlight diagnostic delays, provider communication gaps, using personal testimonies.
- Veteran-focused messaging: "1.5 million Veterans are eligible for screening but haven't been screened." Connect burn pit/asbestos exposure to lung cancer risk using #VeteransScreeningMatters #LCAM.
Ad copy starters5
“"One breath away from knowing. Get screened. SavedByTheScan.org"”
“"Lung cancer doesn't ask your smoking history. Screening can save your life. Are you at risk?"”
“"Everyone has lungs. Everyone deserves early detection. #AnyoneWithLungs"”
“"Your symptoms matter. Your voice matters. Share your story and help us end lung cancer stigma."”
“"November is for speaking up. For screening. For survival. Join us. #LungCancerAwarenessMonth"”
Tips4
- DO: Emphasize that 60-65% of new lung cancer diagnoses are in non-smokers/former smokers—combat stigma first, then drive screening. DON'T assume all audiences are former smokers or use blame-based language.
- DO: Highlight actionable screening steps (low-dose CT scan, eligibility quiz, finding a screening center) with clear CTAs. DON'T just raise awareness without a conversion funnel to actual screening behavior.
- DO: Amplify survivor stories from diverse backgrounds (age, race, gender, smoking history). DON'T default to 'sick-looking' narratives—show people thriving post-diagnosis, building hope.
- DO: Partner with healthcare providers and research-backed organizations (Ad Council, nonprofits like LUNGevity, American Lung Association) for credibility. DON'T claim medical benefits without evidence or proper disclaimers.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month has origins that can be traced back more than 25 years, to 1995. Originally getting its start with Lung Cancer Awareness Day, the event developed over time and grew into an entire month of observances and activities.
In 2022, President Biden and the First Lady made a Presidential Proclamation that officially designated November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
During this time, various groups and organizations, whether on a local or global scale, join together to show support for the needs of those who have lung cancer, as well as raising awareness and educating the public with the purpose of prevention.
Various activities take place during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, including educational opportunities about the need for lung cancer screenings, what the risk factors are for this type of cancer, and how to manage health preventatively.
In recent years, lung cancer has been reported as the leading cause of cancer related deaths, as well as a high showing of new cases each year. Of course, the first line of defense against lung cancer is to act preventatively.
The next is to maintain regular screenings in order to provide early detection. Just like with most cancers, the earlier that lung cancer is found, the higher the chances are of survival, remission and even cure.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month is meant to show support for those who are struggling to cope and survive this disease, and it is also here to help reduce the stigma that can come along with lung cancer.
Raise Awareness about Lung Cancer
Many people don’t realize that lung cancer is the most deadly form of cancer, and they also may not know that prevention and early detection are possible. Lung Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity to share with friends, family members and others in that sphere of influence about the ways people can take their health into their own hands. With thirty full days to connect, this is a great time to share about the month on social media, host an event at work, make it a part of the kids’ school program and much more.
See a Doctor to Quit Smoking
For almost 100 years, there has been a known association between smoking and lung cancer. In fact, today, at least 90% of lung cancer diagnoses are caused by smoking. Even with the knowledge of these statistics, it can be very difficult to quit smoking and many people struggle with it for years. Lung Cancer Awareness Month might act as a motivator to take quitting smoking seriously by seeing a doctor to find out what kind of aids and help are available. There are also various types of support groups that can offer support and assistance in the effort to stop smoking – for your own health as well as for those who love you.
Join LUNG FORCE
One way those impacted by lung cancer can get involved might be to join the LUNG FORCE initiative, sponsored by the American Lung Association. This online community is meant to offer support, provide resources, raise awareness and encourage people to get health screenings. LUNG FORCE can be joined by patients, caregivers and family members who want to share their stories in order to bring encouragement to others who are on the lung cancer journey. In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, take some steps to get involved with this online initiative.
Make a Donation to a Lung Cancer Charity
Those who feel compelled to share with people who are suffering from lung cancer can make a donation to several different charities that offer support to those with cancer, as well as working hard toward finding a cure. Consider supporting one of these or many other charitable organizations in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month: American Lung Association Lung Cancer Research FoundationLUNGevity FoundationLung Cancer Foundation of America Lung Cancer Awareness Month FAQsDoes smoking weed cause lung cancer?Though research is ongoing about whether smoking marijuana causes lung cancer, it can definitely harm the lungs and cause many other health problems.[1]Does vaping cause lung cancer?While it is still unclear if vaping causes lung cancer, it does coat the lungs with harmful substances that may cause cancer.[1]What causes lung cancer?About 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, but it can be caused by other toxic substances, like asbestos, or it may simply appear for no reason.[1]Is lung cancer curable?Some types of lung cancer, if caught early, can go into remission or even have no evidence of cancer left after treatment.[1]What are symptoms of lung cancer?Early symptoms of lung cancer can be a new cough that doesn’t stop, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, bone pain, losing weight and more.