With Breast Cancer Awareness Month now over for another year, the lessons learned must remain, even while shifting focus to lung cancer.

Though not as popular as the former, lung cancer awareness has its own designated month and this dates back as far as the 1990s. It was in the year 1995 that Lung Cancer Awareness was first recognised. Initially only recognised on one day, as the lung cancer community grew and the activities they did increased, this caused the day to mature into an entire month.

While the designated month is not widely known, the disease itself is very well-known and is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Like Pinktober, it is important to get involved in the activities for Lung Cancer Awareness Month, so one can become aware of the need to know information surrounding the disease.

Here are four ways you can get involved in Lung Cancer Awareness Month:

1. Wear White

White or pearl is typically used to identify Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Whether is it a white belt, shirt, skirt or hat, incorporating white into your outfit is a great way to show your involvement and support for the month. Like Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a ribbon is also the symbol used to identify Lung Cancer Awareness Month. This white ribbon is easily sourced and can be worn to display your support for lung cancer awareness. Have you worn your white item since the month began?

2. Donate

Have you ever heard the saying ‘every mickle mek a muckle’? This Jamaican proverb suggests that no matter how little something is, it is still valuable and will complete the whole. Making a donation toward lung cancer, no matter how small, goes a very long way. Funds are used for research purposes, that try to come up with solutions such as treatments for victims of the disease. Making a donation is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support and be involved in Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

3. Share Information on Social Media

Social media has become such an integrated part of our society and has contributed to the world becoming a more globalised community. Using your social media platform, whether it is Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter or Facebook, to share information on the disease and the month itself, will help the spread of ‘need-to-know’ information to others. This is also one of the easiest ways to show your involvement in Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

4. Volunteer

Volunteering is always a great way to be involved in just about anything. Even if it just a little of your time, volunteering plays a vital role in the fight against lung cancer. You can visit local, national and international lung cancer organisations to be a part of the movement.