If you’ve got a cough, you might think it’s a common cold or COVID-19 infection. But if it lasts longer than eight weeks, it’s time to check your lungs.

In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, let’s be aware. According to the American Lung Association, more than half of lung cancer patients die within a year of diagnosis. With such a deadly disease, early detection is key to survival.

“It is important to detect lung cancer early because the higher the cancer stage when detected, the lower the survival rate,” said Ellen Volker, MD of Pulmonology at Saint Joseph Hospital.

Take a deep breath, and let’s be on the lung lookout.

What are the risk factors for lung cancer?

It’s safe to assume no one is safe from lung cancer, but there are defined risk factors.