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Awareness Loop is a publication by Tutti Cancer Warriors, dedicated to shedding light on all types of cancer. From early signs and risk factors to research updates and warrior stories, we keep you informed and empowered. Because awareness isn’t just knowledge, it’s the first step toward action. Stay in the loop, stay aware.
Tutti Cancer Warriors
So, August 1st was World Lung Cancer Day. And honestly it feels like this day slips under the radar for too many people.
When you hear “lung cancer,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For most, it's probably smoking. Or maybe someone they knew who got really sick. It’s heavy. It’s scary. And unfortunately, it’s often misunderstood.
Let’s clear a few things up.
Lung cancer is one of the most common — and deadliest — types of cancer in the world.
Yes, smoking is a major risk factor. But it's not the only one. People who’ve never smoked a single cigarette can still get lung cancer. Why? Because there are other causes too — secondhand smoke, air pollution, radon gas (which most people have never even heard of), certain workplace chemicals, and sometimes… no clear reason at all. Just bad luck. Genes. Life.
That’s what makes it so complicated — and so important to talk about.
The symptoms can be sneaky. A lingering cough. A weird pain in the chest or back. Shortness of breath. Fatigue that won’t go away. Weight loss without trying. On their own, none of these things scream “cancer.” But when they hang around too long? They’re worth paying attention to.
Early detection saves lives. That’s not a campaign slogan — it’s a fact. If lung cancer is found early, the chances of beating it are much higher. But here’s the challenge: many people don’t know the signs. Others are afraid to speak up. And some just don’t have access to the right tests, especially in rural or underserved areas.
There’s also this ugly thing we don’t talk enough about: stigma.
People with lung cancer get judged more than they should. “Oh, they probably smoked.” “Oh, they brought it on themselves.”
Let me say this loud and clear: no one deserves cancer. No one deserves shame while fighting for their life. Whether they smoked or not is irrelevant. Every person facing lung cancer deserves support, empathy, and access to care — not judgment.
Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer death worldwide.
It causes more deaths than breast, colon, and prostate cancer combined.
In 2020 alone, there were 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths globally.
Most people are diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment is harder.
Why? Because it often has no symptoms early on, and many people either don’t know the risks or feel too ashamed to speak up.
So yes, World Lung Cancer Day matters. Not just because of the science or the stats, but because of the people. The ones living with it. The ones who survived it. The ones who didn’t make it. And the ones who don’t even know yet that it might be growing in them right now.
We don’t share this to scare people. We share it because knowing what to look for — and knowing how to talk about it — could save a life. Maybe yours. Maybe someone you love.
So if you take one thing from this, let it be this: Don’t ignore your body. Ask questions. If something feels off, check it. Don’t judge people based on what you think caused their illness. And don’t wait for cancer to hit close to home before you care about it.
The world needs more awareness — not just for the cancers we hear about all the time, but for the ones that stay in the shadows. Lung cancer shouldn’t be silent. Neither should we.
Ready for a little brain boost?
This week’s puzzle is based on our Bone VS Sarcoma edition — so if you haven’t read it yet, you might want to catch up first. The answers are hidden in plain sight.
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