What is the #1 Cancer Killer of Women?

I’ve mentioned this before, you might already know, but if not, please guess.  When I was asked this question I got it wrong.  Way wrong.  The #1 Cancer killer of women is LUNG CANCER.  I am asking you to read on and consider taking the Lung Cancer Pledge.  November is lung cancer month and I’m dedicating this post to my dear family friend Lola who died many years ago from Lung Cancer.  She was not a smoker.  I’m dedicating this post to my friend Sharon, who lost one lung due to lung cancer.  She was not a smoker.  I’m dedicating this post to my close friend’s mother, Carol, who died of lung cancer 3 years ago.  She was a smoker.  Do you see the theme here?  Actually, there are two themes here: two of these people were exposed to second hand smoke AND lung cancer is not choosey.  It’s attacks anyone and it seems to really like women.

I was present in Chicago when Susan first spoke to the American Lung Association during a National Meeting.  I had tears in my eyes then and now.  She is an amazing woman–who was healthy and never smoked.
I will make the assumption that Lung Cancer likes us female types since we are so busy being care takers of our families that we miss the signs and simply don’t take care of ourselves.  As food allergy and/or asthma parents, it is just a fact that we are up at midnight baking.  I don’t think I know of one parent who has not been up late at night baking or giving a nebulizer treatment to a sick child.  We run non-stop 24/7 taking care of our food allergic and asthmatic children.  I had asthma and didn’t realize it until the past Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Northern Nevada asked me to get checked out. She told me that I’m so busy with my children’s health and not paying attention.  She was right.
Do me a favor and this month and check out Lung Force and the movement to Fight Against Lung Cancer to learn more about keeping yourself and other women you love safer.  Jewel, Kellie Pickler and Valerie Harper are all leading the charge.  Jewel’s passion is her singing and she understands the need for clean healthy air.  Kellie Pickler lost her grandmother one day after she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer and Valerie Harper has battled this disease herself.  Nevada’s own,  Mackenna Bell (race car driver) lost her grandfather to Lung Cancer and she too is raising her voice up to fight this awful disease that strikes without warning. If you are inspired, click on any of these great women’s names and donate to their fundraising team.

We raise our voices loud about food allergies, but Lung Cancer has effected my family several times, so I can’t let this one go.  One year ago, my great uncle passed away from Lung Cancer–it likes men too.