Baron & Budd, P.C. Supports National Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Asbestos, Environmental Toxins Responsible For Growing Number Of Lung Cancer Cases

DALLAS (November 1, 2011) – Baron and Budd is working to raise awareness about lung cancer, a disease that is all too misunderstood and underfunded. As a law firm that helps lung cancer and mesothelioma patients, Baron and Budd understands the importance of increased awareness about these cancers and, more specifically, the need for education. Though lung cancer has been labeled as the “smoking cancer,” research points to a growing number of lung cancer diagnoses in nonsmokers from exposure to environmental toxins such as asbestos.

Baron and Budd is encouraging individuals to participate in the Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Vigil, hosted by the Lung Cancer Alliance. Vigils will take place across the country Nov. 1 to honor loved ones who have suffered from lung cancer and help raise awareness.

In the United States alone, nearly 200 women die of lung cancer every day. But despite the long-standing beliefs that lung cancer is only caused by smoking, more than 70 percent of new lung cancer diagnoses occur in nonsmokers. According to a new study, people who have never smoked, but live in areas with elevated air pollution levels, are approximately 20 percent more likely to die from lung cancer than people who live in areas with cleaner air. Asbestos is one of the air pollutants often associated with lung cancer.

Despite the well-documented health risks of asbestos, the material is not banned in the U.S. and, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, hundreds of metric tons of asbestos are still imported into the U.S. today.

“Lung cancer has developed a stigma as the “smoking cancer,” as if people diagnosed with the cancer knowingly chose to put themselves at risk,” said Russell Budd, president and managing shareholder at Baron and Budd. “But approximately one in 10 people who are diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked, and that number of nonsmoker cases is growing.”

Baron and Budd is dedicated to battling cancers that are related to environmental exposure. The firm has donated to the Lung Cancer Alliance and has sponsored the print and digital distribution of CURE media group’s Understanding Mesothelioma. Russell Budd, the firm’s president and managing shareholder, also serves on the Foundation Board of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the philanthropic arm of NCCN, and the firm has sponsored the NCCN Patient Guidelines for Mesothelioma.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.

The national mesothelioma law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has a more than 30-year history of "Protecting What’s Right" for asbestos sufferers and their families. As one of the first law firms to successfully litigate an asbestos lawsuit, Baron & Budd continues to actively represent veterans, industry workers and others who are suffering as a result of exposure to asbestos. Baron & Budd achieved the largest mesothelioma verdict ever in the state of Texas, a $55 million verdict for an asbestos sufferer and his family in El Paso, Texas. Contact Baron and Budd at 1.866.855.1229 for additional information on medical treatments, mesothelioma cancer doctors and treatment centers, high risk jobs, veterans issues and financial assistance for asbestos cancer care.