Lung Cancer Awareness

There are two types of lung cancer and I will focus on both in this post.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:

This is the more common type of lung cancer.

"About 85% to 90% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are 3 main subtypes of NSCLC. The cells in these subtypes differ in size, shape, and chemical make-up when looked at under a microscope. But they are grouped together because the approach to treatment and prognosis (outlook) are very similar.

Squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma: About 25% to 30% of all lung cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers start in early versions of squamous cells, which are flat cells that line the inside of the airways in the lungs. They are often linked to a history of smoking and tend to be found in the middle of the lungs, near a bronchus.

Adenocarcinoma: About 40% of lung cancers are adenocarcinomas. These cancers start in early versions of the cells that would normally secrete substances such as mucus. This type of lung cancer occurs mainly in people who smoke (or have smoked), but it is also the most common type of lung cancer seen in non-smokers. It is more common in women than in men, and it is more likely to occur in younger people than other types of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma is usually found in the outer region of the lung. It tends to grow slower than other types of lung cancer, and is more likely to be found before it has spread outside of the lung. People with the type of adenocarcinoma calledadenocarcinoma in situ (previously called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) tend to have a better outlook (prognosis) than those with other types of lung cancer.

Large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma: This type of cancer accounts for about 10% to 15% of lung cancers. It may appear in any part of the lung. It tends to grow and spread quickly, which can make it harder to treat. A subtype of large cell carcinoma, known as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, is a fast-growing cancer that is very similar to small cell lung cancer (see below).

Other subtypes: There are also a few other subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer, such as adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma. These are much less common."

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/LungCancer-Non-SmallCell/DetailedGuide/non-small-cell-lung-cancer-what-is-non-small-cell-lung-cancer

Small Cell Lung Cancer:

"About 10% to 15% of all lung cancers are small cell lung cancer (SCLC), named for the size of the cancer cells when seen under a microscope. Other names for SCLC are oat cell cancer, oat cell carcinoma, and small cell undifferentiated carcinoma. It is very rare for someone who has never smoked to have small cell lung cancer.

SCLC often starts in the bronchi near the center of the chest, and it tends to spread widely through the body fairly early in the course of the disease."

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/LungCancer-Non-SmallCell/DetailedGuide/non-small-cell-lung-cancer-what-is-non-small-cell-lung-cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer among men and women. It is also the leading cause of cancer death in men and women. It far surpasses breast, prostate, and colon cancers. One of the most common causes of lung cancer is smoking and other tobacco use. Lung cancer can also be caused from radon or asbestos, which are found in mines and textile plants. 

Cool here...

Lung cancer cannot be fully prevented, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk. The first is obvious, don't smoke! If you do, QUIT! There are many places that can help one to quit smoking. The American Cancer Society provides a guide of how to quit and gives you a phone number to call for help. You can also visit smokefree.gov for assistance and guidance. 

As I said before, Radon is a cause of lung cancer. The best way to prevent exposure to Radon is to have your home tested. 

Studies have shown that eating a diet of fruits and vegetables will decrease your chance of getting lung cancer. 

Here, not so much

As always, scanning for any type of cancer plays a large role in early detection. You can also have a CT scan done which has been shown to catch lung cancer more often. Make sure you tell your loved ones to get tested for all types of cancers, and MAKE THEM QUIT SMOKING! Its extremely harmful to your body, and it is gross!! Look at this disgusting list of the active ingredients in cigarettes. Notice Urea? Yeah, that's found in urine. Think about that the next time you go to light up. 

An Interview with the People That Make Relay Happen

Melora Walen and Jeni Politano are the Mercyhurst Relay for Life co-chairs. Melora is a senior, History major and Jeni is a sophomore, Pre-Ocupational Therapy and Special Education major. They put countless hours into planning the event and leading others to help and participate. I sat down with my two friends, while they answered some questions about Relay and had some fun.

The Relay Exec Board, wearing pink bars for Breast Cancer

What made you want to get so involved with Relay For Life?

M.  Fighting cancer is an important cause. My roommate was very into Relay, so she got me involved.

Jeni at Relay

J.    I joined Relay for Life because I have had many family members who have passed away from cancer and it effects people’s lives everyday. Also, the disease takes such a physical as well as emotional toll on a person that I want to help the cause.

What is your favorite part about planning Relay For Life?

M.   Getting to know the people involved and bonding with them throughout the process.

J.    “Telling people what to do”- Melora “No, I love when everything comes together during the days of Relay. It is a great feeling, seeing all we accomplished.” -Jeni

What does a world without cancer mean to you?

M.   A less stressful world. A world without Relay… which would be sad, but a good thing. Less heartache.

J.   A lot more happy people, celebrating more birthdays. It also allows us to put money towards other diseases to those who also need it.

How many hours have you spent planning this event?

M.     Gee, about 10 hours a week. Since June. Soooo….. 500 hours? Minimum. I email a lotttt…. “Yeah, she sends soo many emails!”-Jeni

J.     One whole hour. No I’m kidding. Days, Weeks, 2-3 hours a weekend. Idk, so much time.

What are your goals for the upcoming Relay?

M.     No one gets burnt by the bonfire. And I would like to make our goal of $25,000.

J.   To raise $25,000 dollars and to have 20 faculty join and 500 students. 

M. Wow 500 students!? Last year we had 250!

 J. Doublin’ it up… BAM!

What Relay event are you most excited for?

M.     The paper lanterns, because it is the first time we have done them.

J.     The bouncy house

M. There is a bouncy house!?

J. Yeah a team is doing it! But seriously, the Romantic Era is coming so that will be awesome.

How many hours will you be awake on the days of Relay?

M.    More than 24, because that is the actually event. So probably 30 plus with setting up and taking down.

J.     Lets think, I’ll be waking up at 7am so 7 until… something. About 30 hours. After its over, I’m crashing.

What do you think people should know before participating in Relay For Life?

M.    They should know the meaning behind the event and giving twenty four hours of your time is worth it because we can find a cure. They should also be prepared and know what to bring. Like money, clothing, etc.

J.     GET INVOLVED! MAKE A TEAM, MAKE A TRADITION OF IT. Put away a night of drinking and come save lives. Cha Ching, bada bada bing… Don’t say that I said that.

Melora with a friend at a Relay Tye-dye event

What are 3 items everyone should bring to Relay? Why?

M.     Can I put them into groups? Clothing: Different outfits for the theme laps, Sleeping Gear: blankets, pillows, etc., and money to participate in other teams activities.

J.     A Tent, Layers of Clothing, 5 Hour Energy, Bring a smile is the fourth.

What is your favorite part about the Relay event?

M.     The Luminaria Ceremony, because it is emotional and it highlights the hardships and struggles people go through and shows why we Relay.

J.     Realizing how much money we made and seeing how many people participate. Oh and seeing if we beat the other schools (Gannon) muahahaha!!

And the Planning Begins...

The Relay for Life committee at Mercyhurst University has been meeting for months now to plan our relay. It is being held on APRIL 27 at 1pm - APRIL 28 at 1pm and the theme is Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This is our first attempt at hosting a 24hr event, so it should be interesting. Many people may not know, but planning a Relay for Life takes a lot of time, effort, and people. You need a committed group of people who collect funds, create ideas, and gather participants. So far, the number of people signed up and the amount of money raised has been good considering the Relay is still more than a month away. These next couple of months are crunch time and we have begun planning 'Paint the Campus Purple Week' to get students and faculty interested. (Note: THE COMMUNITY IS MORE THAN WELCOME TO JOIN IN RELAY!!!) For Paint the Campus Purple Week, we will be holding themed days to raise funds and awareness.

More Birthdays Monday: We will be holding a bake sale, which will feature a birthday cake. Celebrating more birthdays is one of the many goals of Relay For Life.

Tye-Dye Tuesday: We will be tye-dying shirts purple, which is the color of relay and the color of the week.

WTF (Win The Fight) Wednesday: We will have a board set up that reads "What a World Without Cancer Means to You." People will be free to write on the board and share what they think. I will be putting SANITY up on it.

Throwback Thursday: This is my favorite and I will be at a table all day listening to boy bands while selling colored ribbons and luminaria bags. The ribbons will signify a cancer that you wish to recognize and the luminaria bags will be for a small ceremony being held at night. On the actual day of Relay, there is a luminaria ceremony held where people decorate bags for their loved ones. Then the bags are lit and everyone walks a lap of silence. On Thursday we will be holding a smaller ceremony to show people the power of coming together.

Fight Back Friday: We will have a 'punch wall' where people punch a hole and win a prize. There is also word of purple crush coming into play.

The whole week should be very exciting and get people involved in Relay for Life. Aside from the daily activities, we are hiding easter eggs around campus that anyone can find. They will have candy or a note telling them to collet a prize. On the Sunday before, we will be decorating the campus purple with ribbons, banners, window paint, etc. This is the week to 'go big or go home' in hopes that people get pumped!