ROSWELL PARK MARKS LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH SERIES OF EVENTS

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

BUFFALO, NY — A jarring fact underscores the events and activities that Roswell Park Cancer Institute(RPCI) 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 United States. 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, PhD, 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 — Saturday, November 5, 9 a.m. to noon, Research Studies Center, Carlton Street at Elm Street, RPCI. 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 November 2 by calling 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724).

• Lung Cancer Expo — Saturday, November 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Boulevard Mall by Sears, 730 Alberta Drive, Amherst, NY. 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. Details atRoswellPark.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:

• Taste for Life Wine Tasting — Wednesday, November 16, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Saturn Club, 977 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. Tickets for this event, an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres and jazz, cost $50. To register, send an email to tasteforlife2011@aol.com or call 716-867-0333.