Senate Resolution No. [insert number] urges the Louisiana Department of Health to enhance public awareness regarding the risk factors and symptoms associated with lung cancer, as well as to promote lung cancer screening initiatives. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with approximately 125,000 fatalities each year, and around 3,500 new diagnoses occurring annually in Louisiana alone. The resolution highlights that while smoking is the primary risk factor, lung cancer can also affect non-smokers due to various other factors such as secondhand smoke, exposure to radon and asbestos, air pollution, and certain medical histories.

The resolution emphasizes the importance of early detection, as symptoms of lung cancer often do not manifest until the disease has progressed significantly, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. With a five-year survival rate of only about five percent for stage 4 lung cancer, the resolution advocates for increased education and screening efforts to identify the disease at earlier, more treatable stages.