According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), approximately one in 1,700 Mississippians will die of lung cancer. The leading cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoke and secondhand cigarette smoke.
“If you’re an ex-smoker, or still smoking, early detection of lung cancer is key for your treatment plan,” said Amy Winter, director of The Office of Tobacco Control at MSDH. “Cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. A low-dose CT scan can help save your life. Discuss your options with a health care provider.”
Individuals over 50, current smokers and anyone who has a history of smoking two packs a day are eligible for the low-dose CT scan.
The MSDH Office of Tobacco Control is prepared to help anyone who wants to quit smoking. The “Ready. Set. Quit.” program offers online, phone and text counseling.
“Quitting smoking is a practice and we are here to support you,” said Pearl Watts, director of the Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition of Quitman and Tallahatchie Counties. “When you quit, you lower your risk of cancer, add years to your life and can breathe more easily.”
For information about the dangers of cigarettes, visit www.healthyms.com/tobacco.
For help with quitting, visit the website, www.quitlinems.com, or call the Mississippi Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
