Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Yesterday Cancer Australia launched Our Lungs, Our Mob an interactive technology-based campaign to increase awareness of lung cancer focusing on rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
A staggering 70% of Indigenous Australians are more likely to die from lung cancer than non-Indigenous Australians.
Smoking is the lead cause of lung cancer and currently, 42% of Indigenous Australians smoke on a daily basis, compared with 16% of non-Indigenous Australians. An alarming two Indigenous Australians are diagnosed every day with lung cancer.
Cancer Australia will be setting up a number of kiosks across Australia and online where communities will be able to access information using touchscreen technology.
Our Lungs, Our Mob features singer/songwriter Archie Roach and provides resources such as information on risk factors, early detection, symptoms and contacts for follow up on symptoms.
Cancer Australia’s Manager of Indigenous and Rural Projects, Isabella Wallington explained:
“Using interactive audio-visual technology enables us to inform and engage with Indigenous people, with the aim of addressing the poorer lung cancer outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdCnOlYzn9s
For more information about the Lung Cancer in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, please visit the Cancer Australia Website, canceraustralia.gov.au.
