Lung Cancer and COPD Awareness Month

November is National Lung Cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month. Lung cancer accounts for about 27 percent of all cancer deaths and is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing difficult for the 16 million diagnosed Americans. Millions more suffer from COPD, but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. COPD can limit your ability to work or even perform simple daily tasks. Smoking tobacco is the leading cause for both of these diseases.

Smoking tobacco is very addictive; just ask any person who smokes or has quit. The habit involves satisfying the physical addiction to nicotine and the mental aspects, such as relieving stress or boredom. Many ex-smokers tried quitting numerous times before achieving success. How do I know? I smoked for 12 years and took 3 attempts before I was successful. I unfortunately started smoking in my teens because of peer pressure from friends. My anniversary for quitting the habit was 20 years ago.

I discovered Reiki can help a person quit smoking. Several clients reported Reiki helps them with the physical withdraws from nicotine and excessive tiredness or fidgeting. Often times ex-smokers have problems of figuring what to do with their hands and time. Reiki can help relax the body and eliminate nervousness. Reiki also reduces the stress that causes the desire for a cigarette and reduces the anxiety that withdraw can cause. Reiki calms the mind and helps with insomnia. I would encourage any smokers to try to quit smoking on November 15th, the Great American Smoke Out.