Breathe for Life: Amgen's 'One Breath' Campaign for Lung Cancer Awareness Day
Amgen launches its 'One Breath' campaign on Lung Cancer Awareness Day, spotlighting early detection and prevention. Learn how awareness and quitting smoking can save millions of lives.
Editors 
Breathe for Life: Amgen's 'One Breath' Campaign for Lung Cancer Awareness Day
Raising Awareness for Lung Cancer: A Breath of Hope
Biotechnology company Amgen Turkey has launched the "One Breath" campaign to mark Lung Cancer Awareness Day on November 17. Under the motto "Awareness in One Breath, Life in Every Breath," the campaign aims to emphasize the importance of raising awareness to prevent millions of lives lost to lung cancer annually.
Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer globally and remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. With approximately 2.1 million new cases diagnosed each year, the disease’s prevalence underscores the critical need for awareness, early detection, and effective treatments.
Amgen’s Commitment to Awareness and Prevention
"Lung cancer awareness is vital because a single breath is precious, yet often taken for granted," said Güldem Berkman, General Manager of Amgen Turkey. She highlighted the significance of early detection and proper treatment, adding, “Through the ‘One Breath’ campaign, we aim to inspire a broader understanding of lung cancer’s impact and prevent millions of unnecessary deaths.”
Amgen’s Senior Medical Director, Dr. Mutlu Yeşilboğaz, emphasized the alarming survival statistics: “Without early diagnosis, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is around 20%. This statistic reinforces the importance of innovative treatments and widespread awareness campaigns.”
Family Support: A Crucial Element in Recovery
Research indicates that over 60% of cancer patients report improved outcomes due to emotional and physical support from their loved ones. In lung cancer cases, the active involvement of family members can improve recovery rates by 15%. Dr. Yeşilboğaz stressed that family engagement is not merely emotional but integral to the continuity and success of cancer treatment.
Smoking: The Leading Cause of Lung Cancer
An estimated 85% of lung cancer cases are directly linked to smoking. Globally, smoking claims 8 million lives annually, and in Turkey, where 31% of the adult population smokes, the toll is 120,000 lives per year.
Early smoking habits, beginning as young as 18, exponentially increase long-term risks of lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses. Moreover, passive smoking raises the risk of lung cancer by 20–30%. "Each breath inhaled from cigarette smoke not only harms personal health but endangers the well-being of loved ones," the campaign warns.
Fighting Lung Cancer: Awareness and Prevention
The "One Breath" campaign highlights the life-changing impact of quitting smoking and increasing public awareness. Dr. Yeşilboğaz concluded, “By fostering a culture of awareness and preventive action, we can protect millions from the devastating effects of lung cancer.”
