Governor Stein Proclaims Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month 

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, lung cancer is the third most prevalent cancer in the United States and continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the United States and in North Carolina; and

Whereas, in 2026, an estimated 9,867 people in North Carolina will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 5,771 will die from this disease, including people of all races and ethnicities, with men and American Indians experiencing the highest incidence and mortality rates in North Carolina; and

Whereas, cigarette smoking causes approximately 80 percent to 90 percent of lung cancer deaths, and radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has been found in homes in all 100 North Carolina counties, is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among people who do not smoke; and

Whereas, annual lung cancer screening is recommended for people ages 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-per-year or greater smoking history and either currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years; and

Whereas, the North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Control Program encourages North Carolinians and health care providers to learn more about prevention, lung cancer screening, and radon testing in homes to reduce the risk of lung cancer for their patients; and

Whereas, people can purchase discounted radon testing kits by visiting the North Carolina Radon Program website; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina encourages people to become informed about cancer detection and to raise awareness, promote resources, and advocate support for patients and their families affected by this disease in our communities;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 2026 as “Lung Cancer Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-sixth day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.