The editor would like to thank all involved for their time and effort on this edition of The Voice.

The opinions expressed in any Sweet Briar College publication or other forms of media are not necessarily those of the students, faculty, staff or administration. Therefore, Sweet Briar College is not responsible for its content.

Editorials represent the opinion(s) of the editor(s) and/or staff/guest writer(s).

This site is maintained by Anne Proctor. Please email any questions or comments concerning the web site to her.

Save Your Lungs
By Brandon Ayers Agnew '08
STAFF WRITER

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Now, I know you are probably thinking to yourself, every month is national something awareness month, but I urge you to stick with me for a while.

As women, we are inundated with information on breast cancer and cervical cancer, but we often hear little to nothing about lung cancer.

In fact, lung cancer is the number one cancer in women today (all you girls smoking outside the buildings between classes, take note!). Therefore, we should be just as invested in fighting for a cure for lung cancer as we are in fighting breast cancer.

But unlike so many cancers that arise unexpectedly, lung cancer can be stopped more easily—we just have to stop smoking. Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Even second-hand smoke can significantly raise your risk.

And while an estimated 174,470 people in America will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year alone, 90% of these cases could have been prevented. With a five year survival rate of only 15.5%, in comparison to 89% for breast cancer, I find it shocking that more attention is not given to this cause.

Well, wake up women! Let’s stand together once again for a cause that affects us all. Encourage your friends and family members to quit smoking. This is a cause we cannot ignore. Smoking may now seem fun, sexy, or a way to keep the weight off, but those who smoke should ask themselves—with all we know about the consequences, is it really worth it?