Mercy presents Save Your Lungs event

Lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate, colon, liver, melanoma and kidney cancers combined.

In observance of the Great American Smoke Out, National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and COPD Awareness Month, Mercy Medical Center presents a Save Your Lungsevent at Lindale Mall on Thurs., Nov. 17, from 3 to 7 p.m.  The goal of the event is to bring awareness to the importance of lung health.

“A major challenge in the fight against lung cancer is that 75 percent of new lung cancer diagnoses are in advanced stages, which affects survival rates,” says Sandy Grimm, Pulmonary Clinical Improvement Nurse at Mercy Medical Center.

Free educational seminars at the Save Your Lungs event will focus primarily on risk factors and the link between tobacco and lung cancer. Participants will also learn about support options, such as Mercy's smoking cessation group, as well as radon risks in Iowa and information on radon kits and testing.

Additionally, Mercy will offer Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) screenings and free lung age assessments.  To determine one's lung age, a breathing test will be offered and participants will be given a card with their lung age. Unlike the age of your body, lungs may age at a different rate, depending on lifestyle choices and risk factors. For example, a person may have a birth age of 34, but their lung age may be 46.

For more information on this FREE event, visit www.mercycare.org/events.

EVENT DETAILS

What:     What's Your Lung Age? Lung Cancer Awareness event

When:    Thursday, November 17, 3 to 7 p.m.

Where:   Lindale Mall – Food Court

Free Seminars:

4:30 to 5 p.m. -           The Link Between Smoking & Heart Disease

5:30 to 6 p.m. -           Is It Candy or Tobacco?

6:30 - 7 p.m. -            

Lung Cancer in Iowa & Radon.  Are You at Risk?