Hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second your lungs are hard at work inhaling nearly 2,000 gallons of air a day and exhaling carbon dioxide so your body functions smoothly. It’s no small task, especially considering it’s movement the brain controls, and you don’t have to give it one conscious thought.  

It’s when things go wrong that we start to think about the lungs and just how important they are. Diseases that impact the respiratory system can make it difficult to breathe, to move, to sleep and to focus, and can seriously impact a person’s quality of life. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, which is a time to raise awareness about lungs and lung cancer and take actions to try and keep lungs healthy.

When discussing lung cancer, the statistics are scary, but they’re important to be aware of. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, more people die of lung cancer each year than colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancers—combined. In fact, lung cancer deaths account for one out of every five deaths from cancer. 

But it’s also important to know that there are actions you can take in your life that may help lower your risk for certain kinds of lung cancer, as well as other respiratory conditions. Here are 10 things you can do to be kind to your lungs, and your overall health.

1. Quit smoking (or just don’t start). Smoking cigarettes may not fully guarantee you’ll get lung cancer, but the habit sure boosts your odds. According to the CDC, cigarette smoking plays a role in 80 to 90% of lung cancer diagnoses.  Not smoking, says the CDC, is “the most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer.” If you need help quitting, resources are available. The American Lung Association’s Lung Helpline and Tobacco QuitLine is a great place to start: call 1-800-LUNG-USA or visit www.lung.org/quit-smoking.
2. Avoid being around cigarette smoke. When other people smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes or other pollutants around you, the secondhand smoke can also impact your lung health. You may not be able to avoid secondhand smoke in public, but you can make sure that your home and your car are smoke-free zones.
3. Test your home for radon. Radon, which is a radioactive gas, is the No. 1 cause of lung cancers in people who don’t smoke, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and it can increase the risk of cancer for people who do smoke. This is a gas you can’t see, taste or smell, but it could cause significant harm. The EPA recommends testing your home for radon, because that is the only way to know if you are being exposed. Free test kits are available through Alabama Public Health.
4. Reduce your exposure to hazardous chemicals. If you spend a good deal of time around hazardous chemicals such as asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and certain petroleum products, it could increase your risk of lung cancer. If you believe that you are inhaling these on-the-job, talk to your doctor about your concerns and, if you can, talk to your employer about what safety precautions they can support. 
5. Monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your area. If you’ve heard your local news reporters and meteorologists talking about color-coded scores for air quality, like “red” and “orange,” and issue warnings about potential health effects because of pollution, they’re referencing something called the Air Quality Index, or AQI. This measurement system tracks things like ozone, pollution caused by wildfires, power plants, factories and vehicles. If the AQI value reaches a level that impacts your health (it can be different for different people), take precautions, like wearing a mask or staying indoors.
6. Get vaccinated. You can protect yourself and your family from several respiratory viruses by getting vaccinated. Vaccines are available to help keep you safe from influenza, COVID-19, RSV, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia and tuberculosis. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which vaccines are right for you. 
7. Practice good hand hygiene. Whether you already have a lung condition, or you’re trying to avoid getting a cold or flu, soap and hand sanitizer are your friends! Washing your hands stops the spread of germs. Be sure to scrub-a-dub-dub before touching your nose, mouth and face; before preparing food; after touching another person or leaving a public place; and after touching surfaces that are used by others. Read more handwashing tips from the CDC here.
8. Exercise regularly. When you’re huffing and puffing from working out, you’re doing your lungs a favor by strengthening them, along with your heart and your muscles. Physical activity is one of the kindest things you can do for your lungs and your overall health. It can help you feel better mentally and physically, improve your quality of sleep, boost your focus and enhance your mood.
9. Stay up to date on your regular healthcare checkups. Establishing a good relationship with your primary care doctor when you’re healthy can help give them a baseline for when you’re not feeling so good. Plus, many conditions—including lung cancer—can be challenging to detect early on. With regular appointments, your doctor might be able to note any changes to your health early, which may allow for more treatment options.
10. Learn the warning signs of lung cancer. Lung cancer is challenging, because many people don’t experience any symptoms until the cancer has progressed. The CDC lists the following symptoms to look out for:
    1. Coughing that gets worse or doesn’t go away
    2. Chest pain
    3. Shortness of breath
    4. Wheezing
    5. Coughing up blood
    6. Feeling tired constantly
    7. Unexplained weight loss

In addition, some people with lung cancer also have repeated bouts of pneumonia, says the CDC, and they may have swollen or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) between the lungs. If you experience any of these signs, or have other concerns, talk to your doctor.  There is a type of screening available for lung cancer called low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), which your healthcare provider may recommend.

Your body naturally does a good job of protecting your lungs from germs, and telling them when to work hard and when to take a little breather. But you, too, have an important role to play in helping your lungs. By taking action today, and showing your lungs some kindness and appreciation, you could reap the benefits for decades to come.