Lung Cancer Day: NOA urges early screening, healthy living

The National Orientation Agency has urged Nigerians to embrace healthy lifestyles, avoid smoking, undergo regular medical check-ups and support people living with lung cancer as part of activities marking World Lung Cancer Day.

The agency made the call in a series of awareness messages shared on its official X account on Sunday to commemorate the annual observance, highlighting the growing global burden of lung cancer and the importance of early detection, prevention and access to quality treatment.

World Lung Cancer Day, observed annually on August 1, is dedicated to raising awareness about the disease, promoting early diagnosis and advocating improved access to treatment and care.

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with health experts maintaining that early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates.

In one of the posts, the agency stressed the importance of lung health while noting that the disease affects both smokers and non-smokers.

It stated, “Every breath is precious. Our lungs work tirelessly-processing thousands of breaths each day to keep us alive and well. Yet lung cancer remains one of the world’s deadliest diseases, affecting millions of people every year. And while smoking is a major risk factor, it’s important to know that lung cancer can also affect people who have never smoked.

“This year, on August 1st, we mark World Lung Cancer Day 2026 under the theme “Together through lung cancer.” The campaign is about connection, compassion, and hope, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to early screening, accurate diagnosis, advanced treatment, and supportive care.”

The agency noted that despite lung cancer being one of the world’s most prevalent malignancies, public awareness about its symptoms, causes and prevention remains low.

According to the NOA, World Lung Cancer Day seeks to increase awareness of lung cancer symptoms, promote smoking cessation and healthy lifestyles, encourage high-risk individuals to undergo screening, dispel the misconception that lung cancer affects only smokers, support patients, survivors and caregivers, and advocate improved access to quality cancer care.

The agency also highlighted factors that increase the risk of developing lung cancer beyond cigarette smoking.

It listed “passive smoking, air pollution, exposure to asbestos, occupational chemicals, radon gas exposure, previous radiation therapy to the chest and a family history of lung cancer” among the recognised causes.

The NOA further identified common warning signs of the disease to include a “persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, recurrent chest infections, hoarseness of voice, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, bone pain, fatigue and headaches where the cancer has spread.”

On prevention, the agency urged Nigerians to “avoid smoking and second-hand smoke, maintain healthy indoor air quality, exercise regularly, reduce exposure to occupational chemicals, undergo regular medical check-ups and maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.”

Calling for collective action against the disease, the agency stated, “World Lung Cancer Day is not just about awareness; it’s about action. The National Orientation Agency calls on Nigerians to spread knowledge, support patients, and make healthier choices.

“By encouraging early screening, avoiding smoking, reducing exposure to polluted air, and showing compassion to those affected, we can lessen the burden of lung cancer and inspire hope for millions.”