Television and radio advertisements continue to warn tobacco is still a problem, and there are some statistics that bring this warning a little closer to home.
One in five adults in Crow Wing County continues to use tobacco. The good news found in the Crow Wing County Health Survey conducted last fall was 70 percent of current cigarette smokers stopped smoking for one or more days in the past year because they were trying to quit.
In an effort to support community members in quitting tobacco use, Crow Wing Energized connected ClearWay Minnesota to the Workplace Wellness Goal Group to learn more about the free tools and resources available for individuals, businesses and organizations in Minnesota to support someone through the journey of quitting tobacco use.
The QUITPLAN Services program combines counseling, medication and community to help any Minnesota tobacco user quit. To get started visit quitplan.com or call 1-888-354-PLAN.
Crow Wing Energized has also been actively supporting Central Lakes College as they become a tobacco-free campus as well as Northern Pines Mental Health Center as they support clients who are trying to quit smoking by focusing on nutrition and exercise.
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Breaking any addiction is challenging, for those who have been longtime tobacco users a new screening test for lung cancer is being offered.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force last year recommended low-dose CT scans for heavy smokers from ages 50-80. The annual screenings are now covered by most private insurance companies and Medicare, which covers the test for ages 55-77.
Low-dose CT scans are available to anyone in the age group who smoked a pack per day for 30 years or the equivalent, such as two packs per day for 15 years. Former smokers who have quit within the last 15 years are also eligible. Non-smokers and others with a lower risk of lung cancer don't qualify.
Dr. Aby Philip, Essentia Health hematologist and oncologist, said the low-dose CT scan offers a new opportunity to detect lung cancer earlier in people who are at high risk. By screening those at greatest risk, it's estimated lung cancer deaths will drop by 20 percent, he said.
While there have been screening tests for breast cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer, there hasn't been one for lung cancer. Lung cancer kills more Americans each year than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined.
Philip said more than 80 percent of all lung cancers are caused by smoking. So quitting, or never starting, is important.
To schedule a lung cancer screening, first meet with your primary care physician to determine if you meet the criteria and to discuss the risks and benefits of a low-dose CT scan. The visit also will include talking about the medicines and counseling services available to help you quit smoking.
