Maine has the fourth-highest incidence of lung cancer in the country, according to a new report from the American Lung Association.
The state has consistently ranked near the top nationally, said the association’s Lance Boucher, who cites two risk factors.
“Our tobacco use rate is higher than the national average among adults,” he said. “And radon exposure in Maine — we have a higher level of homes that have an actionable level of radon that needs to be mitigated in them.”
Boucher urges homeowners to test for radon every couple of years. Test kits can be found at hardware stores.
And he said Maine’s QuitLink program is one of the leading initiatives in the country to support tobacco users who want to quit. He also urges those who are eligible to get screened for lung cancer, particularly people ages 50 to 80 with a significant tobacco use history.
This article appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.
