Jennings, a longtime smoker, announced in April he had lung cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy treatment before he died on Sunday. Cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths and is the number one preventable cause of death in the U.S.
"Quitting smoking has major and immediate health benefits, including decreasing the risk of lung and other cancers, heart attack, stroke, and chronic lung disease," says Dr. Nelson. "Peter Jennings' untimely passing will likely serve to remind smokers of the serious health risks they assume if they don't quit."
Smoking is the culprit in many leading, fatal illnesses, including heart disease, lung and other cancers, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), the nation's 4th leading cause of death.
Nelson advocates smokers get a respiratory health check-up for early detection of COPD, which not even a physical exam nor chest x-ray may detect. Called spirometry, the test measures your lung capacity. It can help determine if your lungs are not functioning at their optimal level, giving you and your physician an early indication as to whether you might be at risk for COPD. Smoking causes 80 to 90 percent of COPD deaths.
Beyond smokers, spirometry should be performed on all former smokers and people exposed to environmental tobacco smoke or irritants in the workplace, Dr. Nelson says. Even those exposed to second-hand smoke may be at risk.
"A simple spirometry test is also a good idea for anyone who experiences a persistent cough, mucus, wheezing or shortness of breath," Dr. Nelson recommends. "Even if your doctor listens to your lungs and orders a chest x-ray, it is still necessary to have a spirometry test."
As many as 24 million Americans are affected by COPD, which refers to a group of diseases that cause breathing problems through airflow blockage and includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and in some cases asthma. As with lung cancer, smoking is the primary cause of COPD, and, beyond the check-up, Nelson encourages quitting as the single best method of prevention.
To ensure more people have access to respiratory health screenings, Barlow Respiratory Hospital is offering spirometry and other free tests as part of National Respiratory Care Week at the hospital's 3rd Respiratory Health Fair on Saturday, October 22, 2005. Seminars and information on a variety of lung diseases as well as smoking cessation will also be available. For more information about the fair activities, visit www.barlow2000.org/fair or call 213-202-6445.
