If you’re living with lung cancer, you’re already aware of the impact the condition can have on your life — but chances are strong that other people in your orbit don’t know as much as they could about the disease. That’s why it’s important to raise awareness for the medical condition — particularly in November, which is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Raising awareness doesn’t just help other people understand your condition. MyLungCancerTeam members have found that gaining more knowledge about the condition helps them make more informed decisions about treatments and strengthens their feelings of self-reliance.

“I have a friend who is making white ribbons that stand for lung cancer awareness and I'm going to sell them and donate the money toward lung cancer research,” shared one MyLungCancerTeam member.

Start by Raising Your Own Awareness

Before you can create public awareness by sharing information with others, it’s a good idea to understand the specifics about lung cancer. Learn more about lung cancer’s causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment options.

Lung cancer develops in different parts of the lung as a result of abnormal cell growth. When these cells begin to invade surrounding tissues or break off and migrate to other locations, they have become cancerous.

The average age of people diagnosed with lung cancer is 70. You are at a higher risk if you have a family history of lung cancer, but most cases are caused by environmental factors. Smoking tobacco is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths, particularly in the case of small cell lung cancer. Exposure to secondhand smoke can also increase your risk.

Currently there are no simple screening methods for lung cancer, although some people at very high risk for lung cancer may receive regular low-dose CT scans to check for signs. Most of the time, symptoms of lung cancer do not become obvious until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.

Share Awareness Resources

After you’re armed with information about lung cancer, you can share it with others. The fastest and least expensive way for this kind of advocacy is through social media. You can post information about lung cancer, share details about the condition, and join communities of other people who are also working to raise awareness about lung cancer.

You can add a lung cancer awareness Facebook frame to your profile picture and follow the American Lung Association on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

To ensure your messages on social media reach as many people as possible, consider using an appropriate lung cancer-related hashtag, like #LungCancerAwareness, #LungCancerAwarenessMonth, or #LUNGFORCE. This way, your posts will be seen by more people who have the same interests, and they’re more likely to share and comment.

Social media helps raise awareness for the condition, and it also allows other people with lung cancer to realize they aren’t alone. Joining a lung cancer community on social media, such as MyLungCancerTeam, can also help you connect with others.

Participate in Awareness Activities

Another way to raise awareness about lung cancer is to participate in an activity dedicated to the cause. You can walk or run for lung cancer, play bingo, host a silent auction or fundraiser, or even create a unique event that works for your interests. You can help other people understand more about lung cancer while having fun and raising money for the cause.

If you are able to, you can also donate to the American Lung Association to support lung cancer research and advocacy.

Connect With Others Who Understand

On MyLungCancerTeam, people living with lung cancer come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with the condition.

Share your lung cancer journey in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.