News release as provided by the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services
DPHSS MARKS NOVEMBER AS GUAM SMOKING CESSATION AND LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
November is Guam Smoking Cessation and Lung Cancer Awareness Month. During this month the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) and its partners are focusing on raising awareness of the need for more cancer screening and prevention measures.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and lung cancer is one of the most common types. Meanwhile, locally the latest Guam Cancer Facts and Figures publication shows the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Guam is cancer of the lung and bronchus.
To further provide more information on preventative cancer tools and measures, as well as to talk about the effects of cancer, a proclamation signing will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 17, 2023, by Acting Governor Joshua Tenorio. The public is welcome to view the proclamation signing at Governor Leon Guerrero’s Facebook page by visiting facebook.com/govlouguam.
“Through this proclamation, we look to stress the importance of lung cancer screenings as an effective tool to detect lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage,” said DPHSS Director Arthur San Agustin. “I also encourage those who are looking to quit smoking cigarettes to take advantage of the department’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program,” Director San Agustin added.
About the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program
Get tips on quitting tobacco successfully by following DPHSS social media facebook.com/guamDPHSS or Instagram at //Instagram.com/DPHSSGuam or at facebook.com/LiveHealthyGuam.
The DPHSS Tobacco Free Services has a new online digital platform for youth ages 13 through 17 who want to quit smoking. The services come at no cost and for more information individuals can call 1-800-QUIT NOW (784-8669), or individuals can directly enroll by visiting //quitnow.net/guam. Those with hearing or speech disabilities may call 711 for assistance in helping you quit smoking.
DPHSS Brief Tobacco and Nicotine Intervention Skill Certification Class
DPHSS offers a certification class on Brief Tobacco and Nicotine Intervention Skills which comes at no cost to those who participate. Those interested in enrolling in the class can email Rhoda Basto, Health Educator II, at Rhoda.Basto@dphss.guam.gov.
For more information on the DPHSS Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, individuals can contact Grace Garces Bordallo, Tobacco Control Program Manager, at Grace.Bordallo@dphss.guam.gov.
