New Mexico offers support to tackle lung cancer and nicotine addiction during Lung Cancer Awareness Month
SANTA FE – November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the year, experts at the New Mexico Department of Health’s (DOH) Cancer Prevention and Control Section and Nicotine Use Prevention and Control (NUPAC) program offer valuable cancer information and resources to both the general public and healthcare providers.
“Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among cancers that can affect anyone, man or woman, and it kills more people than any other type of cancer,” said DOH Cabinet Secretary Patrick Allen. “Lung cancer is also far more easily preventable by avoiding use of commercial tobacco products altogether.”
Commercial tobacco products and by products include:
- Tobacco smoke from cigarettes, cigars and pipes.
- Secondhand smoke, the breathing in of smoke from tobacco users around them.
- Smokeless tobacco products, such as dipping or chewing tobacco.
- Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), which make a mist (often called a cloud) by heating a liquid containing nicotine.
Nicotine is the chemical compound found in tobacco plants that makes smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping so hard to quit.
The DOH NUPAC program offers several ways to help cut nicotine out of your life, including calling 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) for English or 1-855-DEJELO YA (1-855-335-3569) for Spanish, to receive free coaching, nicotine patches or gums. There are also free web-based services at QuitNowNM.com and DejeloYaNM.com that offer additional online support including 24-hour text message support.
For teens, Live Vape Free is a text-based program with one-on-one coaching, live text support, and interactive content to help them quit e-cigarettes. To register, teens can text VAPEFREE to 873373.
The Cancer Prevention and Control Section highlights the role health care providers play in lowering lung cancer risk by:
- Offering patients who do use tobacco products help with quitting. A doctor’s advice to quit is an important motivator for patients who are trying to stop smoking.
- Recommending lung cancer screening as appropriate for people who have a history of heavy smoking.
- Talking with cancer patients about the risks of commercial tobacco use after a cancer diagnosis and include tobacco cessation services as part of a care plan.
- Letting patients know that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and advise them to avoid it.
The following hyperlinks can provide you more information about lung cancer, as well as DOH’S Cancer Prevention and Control Section and NUPAC programs.
Media Contact
We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact David Morgan at 575-528-5197 (Office) or 575-649-0754 (Mobile) with your questions.
Versión en Español
En un esfuerzo para hacer que nuestros comunicados de prensa sean más accesibles, también tenemos disponibles una versión en español. Por favor presione el enlace de abajo para acceder a la traducción.