Roswell Park marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month with series of events

Events highlight need for greater awareness, early detection for those at high risk

A jarring fact underscores the events and activities that Roswell Park Cancer Institute has coordinated as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November: 1,500 people die every year in Erie County because of this disease, which is the biggest cancer killer in the U.S. Lung cancer kills more men than prostate cancer and more women than breast cancer.

"By getting these cancers detected early when they're small and more easily treated, we can cut that statistic down dramatically," said Mary Reid, Ph.D., director of collaborative research and associate professor of oncology in the Department of Medicine at RPCI. "So many people in the Buffalo area have had their lives devastated by lung cancer - smokers as well as people who never smoked a cigarette in their life - so we're really hoping to get the word out about risk factors and early detection."

RPCI will hold two events to share information about lung cancer this November:

"Breath of Life: A Celebration for Lung Cancer Patients and Survivors" will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the RPCI Research Studies Center, Carlton Street at Elm Street. Hosted by the Roswell Park thoracic cancer team, this event will feature personal testimonials from lung cancer survivors and offers patients - regardless of where they are being treated - an opportunity to gather information about new approaches to lung cancer surveillance, treatment, research and survivorship.

Refreshments will be served. Attendees should register by Nov. 2 by calling 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724).

"A Lung Cancer Expo" will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Boulevard Mall (by Sears), 730 Alberta Drive, Amherst. Information will be available on risk factors, detection, treatment options, smoking cessation and more. 

Roswell Park's lung cancer experts will be on hand until noon to answer questions, and representatives will be available to do initial risk evaluations throughout the event for anyone who would like to learn more about their possible eligibility for the Roswell Park high risk/early detection lung cancer program. Find details at www.RoswellPark.org/Expo.

A third event, hosted by Susan and Steven Roney, part of RPCI's "Team Cure" initiative, will raise funds for lung cancer research at Roswell Park. A "Taste for Life Wine Tasting" is set for Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at The Saturn Club, 977 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. Tickets for this event, an evening of wine, hors d'oeuvres and jazz, cost $50. To register, email [email protected] or call 716-867-0333.

The mission of Roswell Park Cancer Institute is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. RPCI, founded in 1898, was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation's leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs.

For more information, visit RPCI's website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email [email protected].