Download - Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010
and the air you breathe
Fa l l & W i n t e r 2010
Working to improve the lives of asthma sufferers
Health tips for when wildfires are near
You can’t see it smell it or taste it. Radon: the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer
Your HealthFall & Winter 2010
British Columbia Lung Association 2675 Oak Street Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2
Tel: 604 731 5864
Toll-free: 1 800 665 5864
Fax: 604 731 5810
www.bc.lung.ca
StaffPresident & CEO: Scott McDonald
Editor: Katrina van Bylandt
Contributing Writers:
Katrina van Bylandt,
Destin Haynes
Medical advisory Committee:Dr. Kevin Elwood, Director, Division of TB Control
Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer,
Vancouver Coastal Health
Dr. Richard J. Finley, UBC Department of Surgery
Dr. J. Mark FitzGerald, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH
Dr. John Fleetham, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH
Dr. Shannon Tania Waters, Medical Services Branch,
Health Canada
Dr. Nestor Müller, Department of Radiology,
Vancouver Hospital & HSC
Dr. Darlene Reid, Div. Of Physical Therapy, UBC
Dr. Jeremy Road, UBC Respiratory Division, VHSSC
Dr. Robert Schellenberg, UBC Pulmonary Research Lab,
St. Paul’s Hospital
Dr. David Speert, BC Research Centre
executive Committee:Mrs. Muff Hackett, President
Mr. Ash Dhanani, Vice President
Dr. Peter Paré, Honourary Treasurer
Mr. Gary Chapple, Director
Mr. Mike Ellis, Director
Dr. Kevin Elwood, Director
Mr. Richie Gage, Director
Mr. Doug Hill, Director
Mrs. Marilyn Lawrence, Director
Mr. Keith Murray, Director
Mrs. Walda Reszitnyk, Director
Please join the generations of British Columbians who celebrate their health and happiness — year in and year out —
with an important donation to Lung Association Christmas Seals®
Today, the Lung Association fights a bigger battle than ever before. From important research on lung cancer and asthma to the fight against the dangerous poisons in air pollution and secondhand smoke, the Lung Association’s crucial mission is still largely supported by Christmas Seals.
Each year, thousands observe the tradition of sealing holiday cards and packages with that year’s special seal. And each year, your Christmas Seals donation supports the important fight against lung disease being waged every day by the Lung Association.
Cover Photo: Catching Air by Marija Pavlivic
bc.lung.ca 3
New look for Your Health
Distributed twice a year to some 22,000 donors,
supporters, volunteers, educators, health and air
quality stake holders province-wide, Your Health
magazine is a century-old tradition. Whether we’re
reporting the results of a new respiratory health
study, sharing the details of a recent Lung Association
initiative, or celebrating one of our many lung heroes,
we try and cover it here.
Today, thanks to advances in technology, we’re finally
able to inject some colour into Your Health magazine at
no extra cost. Furthermore, with a little graphic design
magic, we’ve given Your Health a new look to mark the
beginning of further lung health and air quality related
content improvements to come.
Surprising though it may sound, we’ve switched to full colour at no extra cost.
Important Dates
October 14 World Spirometry Day
November 17 World COPD Day
(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
January 16 – 22 National Non Smoking Week
January 19 Weedless Wednesday
March 7-13 National Sleep
Awareness Week
March 24 World Tuberculosis Day
World Spirometry Day is a new health awareness day established
in 2010 to promote early diagnosis of lung
conditions, encourage people to get
their lungs tested and to raise awareness
about lung health.
Read more about spirometry on page 7
4 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010
Trek showed me how great it
feels just to get involved and give
back to the community around
you – and as a result it has made
giving back a big focus in my life.
It’s also changed how I participate
at Trek.
Now every year I return I try to
engage with as many new Trekkers
as possible. As a veteran I know
the event’s future is dependent on
new riders and I feel it’s my respon-
sibility to ensure they not only have
a great ride and a great weekend
but feel as welcome as I did when I
first started.
Six-time Bicycle Trek for Life & Breath
veteran Dave Coleman has raised
nearly $7,500 in support of vital
lung health and air quality research,
programs and initiatives. This year we
were grateful to have Dave behind the
lens to capture some of the weekend
highlights! Thank you Dave!
Dave ColemanWHy I RIDE
I got involved in Trek years ago, through a work friend.
Today I’m a six-time veteran.
Cycling has always been a big part of my life. Growing
up in Edmonton, winters were long and I couldn’t wait
for the first warm day to get out on my bike; to get a
taste of that freedom. I still feel that way about riding.
Unfortunately, this year I couldn’t get on my bike due to
an injury, so I volunteered as official event photographer
instead – and it was great. Next year however, I hope to get
back on the road!
The 26th Annual Bicycle Trek for Life & Health
Why do you ride?
On September 11 and 12th, more than 300 BC Lung Association supporters and cycling enthusiasts
took part in the 26th Annual Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath; a 2-day, 200 km ride through the lush,
green hills of British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.
I’ve met such
great people at Trek
throughout the years,
made great friends,
and even learned
a few things about
cycling along the way.
What I wasn’t expecting
was how much
I learned about myself.
To learn more about the Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath visit bicycetrek.ca
bc.lung.ca 5
Dorrie SharcottWHy I RIDE
I first heard of the Bicycle Trek
for Life and Breath (Trek) about
twenty years ago. Today I’m an
eleven-time Trek veteran!
I ride for my uncle, with smok-
ing related emphysema, who is on
oxygen 24/7 with hopes of receiv-
ing a life saving lung transplant.*
I ride for my 16 year-old nephew
who, after a courageous fourteen
year battle with cancer, passed
away two years ago after the
cancer metastasized in his lungs.
And I ride for my mother, who
had Tuberculosis (TB) as a child in
industrial Germany and who at
three years of age had to leave her
home and family to live with rela-
tives on a farm to help manage
her TB. My mother volunteered at
Trek from my very first ride to my
seventh ride when her health no
longer allowed her to make the trip.
I ride, too, in honour of my
friend Augie who helped motivate
me to take part in the first place.
In 2002, Augie was struck and
killed while riding his bike. Augie
was both a giant in life (he was
six foot six) and a giant in spirit;
the quintessential Trekker. He
spent day one of the ride with
the rookies, riding along side and
offering encouragement and sup-
port. And on day two he did what
he loved best: ride fast and hard
to the finish line in pursuit of a
personal best.
After Augie passed away our cy-
cling team wanted to honour him,
so we created the “Rookie Cookie”
award to continue his spirit of
inspiring and motivating the first
time Trekkers.
I am so thankful for the support
of my friends, family, donors and
of course the BC Lung Association
staff and volunteers. Trek is an im-
portant part of my life; something
I look forward to each year. I know
how fortunate I am to be able to
get in the saddle and ride and
I plan on continuing to ride for
many more years to come.
Eleven-time Bicycle Trek for Life &
Breath veteran Dorrie Sharcott has
raised over $30,000 in support of vital
lung health and air quality research,
programs and initiatives. Thank you
Dorrie and see you next year!
*Dorrie’s uncle received a double lung
transplant on September 19, 2010
however sadly passed away due to
complications on September 22, 2010.
2010 Trek Statistics Out of 311 total riders: 156 were male, 155 were female · 196 were veteran riders, 115 riders were rookies · The
oldest rider was 81; the youngest was thirteen · Total 2010 funds raised: $240,000 · Total lifetime funds raised by Trek: Nearly $5 million
Why do I ride? I believe it’s for the same reasons as hundreds of other Trekkers. I ride because I can and in honour of those in my life who cannot.
Dorrie, pictured at left, wtih fellow rider Doris.
Giant Bicycles
Dunbar Cycles
Global BC
Budget
Sugoi
Whistler Question
Mountain FM
Star FM
Country 107.1 FM
Radio NL 610 AM
Country 103 FM
The River 97.5 FM
Larabar
Canadian Springs
Jelly Belly
Richmond Aquatic Services
Sewell’s Marina
Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel
Burnaby Village Museum
THANK you EVENT SPoNSoRS
old Spaghetti Factory
Park Inn & Suites
Dr Sun yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Lake okanagan Resort
Vancouver Aquarium
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Museum of Anthropology
Canadian outback Adventures
Sequoia Company of Restaurants
Harbour Cruises Ltd
Heffley Boutique Inn
Vancouver Giants
Playhouse Theatre Company
6 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010
Despite the fact that lung cancer is the deadliest of all cancers, a recent survey and research report released this
year by the Global Lung Cancer Coalition finds that many Ca-
nadians have little sympathy for lung cancer patients, mistak-
enly believing that they brought the disease upon themselves.
“Unfortunately, there’s a stigma attached to people with lung
cancer,” says Scott McDonald, CEO of the BC Lung Association.
“Many people seem to feel lung cancer patients deserve the
disease because they smoked. This shows a lack of under-
standing of tobacco addiction, which is complicated and can
be extraordinarily difficult to overcome. People also seem to
overlook the fact that more than 50 percent of lung cancer pa-
tients are non or ex smokers.”
The survey also revealed that Canadians believed that breast
cancer was as deadly as lung cancer. In fact; lung cancer kills
four times as many Canadians than breast cancer each year –
about 20,000.
McDonald says these beliefs may well be part of the reason
lung cancer gets so little funding for research and treatments,
“Not that long ago, the death rate for breast cancer was higher
than for lung cancer. Now that’s reversed, with more people
dying from lung cancer than breast cancer, colorectal cancer
and prostate cancer combined. Regrettably, there is still no ef-
fective early stage screening mechanism for lung cancer. Eighty
five per cent of people diagnosed with lung cancer die within
five years of diagnosis.”
Dr. James Gowing, an oncologist and co-chair of the Cancer
Advocacy Coalition of Canada says, “The mortality rate from
lung cancer is horrific in this country and we aren’t seeing the
improvement we should be seeing, given all we know now
about this disease today. In fact, the ten-year survival rate in
Canada is four times higher for breast cancer than lung cancer.
For more information on lung cancer, visit the BC Lung Association web site at bc.lung.ca
Did You Know?
· Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer
in the world – causing more deaths than
breast and prostate cancer put together.
· Smoking causes most lung cancers.
However, about half of patients who
are diagnosed have never smoked
(15%) or are former smokers (35%).
· One in thirteen Canadians will develop
lung cancer during his/her lifetime.
· Only one in every 10 people with lung
cancer is alive 5 years after diagnosis.
· Most lung cancers are diagnosed
in late stages, due in part to lack of
effective screening procedures.
· In 2009, there were an estimated
20,500 lung cancer deaths in Canada.
· In 2010, there will be an estimated
24,200 new cases of lung cancer.
· On average, 465 Canadians will be
diagnosed with lung cancer every week.
· On average, 395 Canadians will die of
lung cancer every week.
Lung Cancer Patients Get
Little SympathyInterestingly, the rate of investment into
research for lung cancer is four times
lower than that for breast cancer.”
McDonald added, “We have to do away
with this stigma and work towards
earlier detection, improved treatments
and a cure for lung cancer – while at
the same time continuing our preven-
tion programs, foremost being to help
tobacco users quit and ensure young
people never start smoking in the first
place. If you are unlucky enough to
have lung cancer, the last thing you
need is to feel blame. More than any-
thing, you need kindness and support,
given without judgment.”
According to Lung Cancer Canada, 35
percent of the people who get it are
former smokers and 50 percent are cur-
rent smokers. But 15 percent of those
who get lung cancer never smoked.
Forget the stigma; these are human beings who need early detection and a cure.
bc.lung.ca 7
Smokers and former smokers are at risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Some non-smokers can also get COPD. If you are over 40 years old and smoke or used to smoke, you may already have it.
Take this quick test to screen for symptoms of COPD:
1. Do you cough regularly?
2. Do you cough up phlegm regularly?
3. Do even simple chores make you short of breath?
4. Do you wheeze when you exert yourself, or at night?
5. Do you get frequent colds that persist longer than those of
other people you know?
if you answer yes to any one of the above questions, talk to your doctor about receiving spirometry.
Many people go to the dentist
to get their teeth checked and go
to the doctor to have their blood
pressure and cholesterol levels
tested, but very few think of ever
having their lungs tested.
The BC Lung Association wants
British Columbians to be aware of
their lung health.
“Spirometry is a simple test
of how well you can breathe. It
can help diagnose different lung
diseases,including chronic obstruc-
tive pulmonary disease (COPD) and
asthma,” says Kelly Ablog-Morrant,
Health Education Director for the
BC Lung Association. “Spirometry
can also check the current condi-
tion of your lungs, help to find the
cause of shortness of breath and, if
you have lung disease, make sure
your medication is working.
“Too many people have lung
disease and do not know it, and
they suffer when they don’t have
to suffer. We promote the early
diagnosis of lung conditions and
encourage people to get their
lungs tested when appropriate,”
says Ablog-Morrant.
Not everyone needs a spirom-
etry test, but talk to your doctor
about spirometry if you:
· are over age 40 and smoke, or if you used to smoke;
· cough a lot;
· become short of breath when walking quickly or doing simple activities;
· are worried about the health of your lungs; and
· are already receiving treat-ment for a lung disease.
The earlier spirometry is done,
the earlier lung disease can be
detected and treated.
Have you had yourlungs tested?
What does spirometry measure?
Spirometry tells your doctor if
you are breathing normally. It does
this through different breathing
measurements, including:
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)The largest amount of air that
you can breathe out after you take
your biggest breath in.
Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV-1)The amount of air you can force
out of your lungs in one second.
If the amount of air you blow
out in the first second is low, you
might have a lung disease such
as asthma or COPD. If you have
already been diagnosed with
asthma or COPD, spirometry can
be use to determine if your
current treatment is working.
This test is
for information
purposes only.
It should not
replace your
doctor’s advice.
If you think you
may have COPD
or are worried
about your lung
health, please
see your doctor.
Take the Lung
Health Test
To learn about COPD and asthma visit bc.lung.ca
8 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010
On June fifth
2010, nearly
four hundred
Rushers took
to the streets of
Vancouver to
take part in
the BC Lung
Association’s
newest fund-
raising event:
The RUSH: Race & Urban
Scavenger Hunt.
Think of it as an intense, one day version of TV’s Amazing Race; participants were asked to do and try things they’ve likely never done before.”Marissa McFadyen,
RUSH Event Coordinator
““Introducing the BC Lung Association’s newest event:
The RUSH. It’s an epic, one-day race and urban scav-
enger hunt in which two-person teams are required
to complete a predetermined number of Checkpoint
Challenges at unknown locations throughout Vancou-
ver. To take part each team had to raise a minimum of
$200 to help fight lung disease.
How it works: Teams of two are given clues and
riddles at the start line to decipher the whereabouts
of Checkpoint Challenge locations. At their disposal: a near limitless array of resources including friends,
strangers, cell phones, & the Internet. Prohibited: any
mode of transportation other than public transit or
two feet. The Ultimate Goal: to cross the finish line first
and claim the Grand Prize: A Trip For Two Around The
World donated by event sponsor Pfizer Canada.
The 2010 WinnersThis year’s participants had to complete four
mandatory and six ‘elective’ Checkpoint Challenges
before heading back to the finish line. Claiming grand
prize were best buddies Steve Dutchak and Tyler
Janzen of North Vancouver who finished in two hours
and 40 minutes flat.
“What a riot,” said Dutchak, “You should have seen
all of us running around town with our road maps;
consulting our portable GPS and iPhones to get from one
spot to another. I’ve never run so fast so far in my life.
I was afraid if I sat down I’d never get up. There is no
question, the RUSH is an experience I’ll never forget!”
What’s The RUSH?
The BC Lung Association would like to thank all the volunteers, supporters and the nearly 400 Rushers who took
part in the 2010 inaugural RUSH and helped raise more than $100,000 towards the fight for lung health!. We
look forward to seeing you all next year!
To learn about The RUSH visit
rushvancouver.com
Below: Winners Tyler Janzen (left) and Steve Dutchak (right).
PREMIER EVENT SPoNSoR: Pinnacle PursuitsMEDIA SPoNSoR: The Beat 94.5Pfizer Canada Whistler SkydivingVancouver Kiteboarding SchoolPacific Surf School
THANK you EVENT SPoNSoRS
Top: Entrapment: a Checkpoint where teams had to
make their way through a laser-like maze of string
carrying an oversized cigarette without making contact.
Above: You and What Army? was a Checkpoint where teams had to make
their way through a gruelling boot camp type activity – which included a physi-
cal obstacle course and finished with a race to peel a potato.
Above: Next Top Project Runway: a Checkpoint where
teams had to strap on soaking wet clothes, strut the runway
and strike a pose for a volunteer army of photographers.
10 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010
Wildfire Health Tips2010 will go on record as one of the most intense fire seasons in the past decade with BC wildfires charring more than 300,000 hectares, an area larger than Metro Vancouver.
Fire smoke contains a chemical soup of hazardous substances which can be a real irritant for even the healthiest people; but is especially hard on the elderly, young children and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions.
Here are some tips to reduce your personal health risk:
HER
WIG
PH
OTO
“ As global warming continues we can
expect even more forest fires, so we need
to educate British Columbians about what
to do to protect their health.”
Dr. Menn Biagtan, Program Manager for the BC Lung Association
5. Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
6. Run your air conditioner, if you
have one. Keep the fresh air in-
take closed and the filter clean to
prevent bringing additional smoke
inside. note: If you don’t have an
air conditioner, staying inside with
the windows closed may be dan-
gerous in extremely hot weather.
In these cases, seek clean air shel-
ter such as shopping malls or use
air cleaners with HEPA filters.
7. Help keep particle levels inside
lower. Be sure to properly ventilate
cooking spaces, reduce emissions
from heating, eliminate tobacco
smoke, and avoid vacuuming.
8. If you have asthma or other
chronic illness be sure to follow
your asthma or COPD action plan.
Protect yourself.
1. Pay attention to local air quality
reports and stay alert to health
warnings related to smoke.
2. Check the Air Quality Health In-
dex (AQHI) forecast for your area.
The AQHI is a tool that indicates
the immediate risks to health or
current and near future levels of
monitored air pollutants and offers
health messages and guidance.
3. Use common sense. If it looks
smoky outside, it’s probably
not a good time to mow the
lawn or go for a run. And it’s
probably not a good time for
your children to play outdoors.
If your breathing becomes dif-
ficult or uncomfortable, stop or
reduce the activity.
4. If you are advised to stay indoors,
take steps to keep indoor air as
clean as possible. Keep your win-
dows and doors closed — unless
it’s extremely hot outside.
bc.lung.ca 11
Paul Muntak offers a home inspection service for a health hazard nobody can see, smell, taste or touch.
Muntak is a certified radon gas mitigator, a relative-
ly new trade in Canada that has come about as more
homeowners educate themselves about the dangers
of radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas.
The second leading cause of lung cancer after
smoking, radon is a naturally occurring gas and
can leak into homes through cracks and gaps at the
ground level.
While people can cope with exposure to small
amounts of radon, exposure to elevated quantities
over a longer period of time can damage the lung’s
cell structure and potentially trigger cancer growths.
“It’s not a question of whether radon is there, but
how much is in your home,” says Muntak. “Levels tend
to become elevated over the winter months when our
homes remain tightly sealed. That’s why this is the
best time of year for testing radon levels.”
In Canada, it is estimated that one in ten lung
cancer deaths is attributable to radon.
Working out of Nelson, BC, Muntak says he has
been testing homes in the BC Kootenay Region for
close to a year and has found radon readings as high
as 6105 Bq/m3 (becquerels per cubic meter) thirty
times the suggested Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m3.
“What can be frustrating is that there’s no easy
answer as to where hazardous radon levels may be
found,” continued Muntak. “Two
homes in the same area can test
very differently and both new and
old homes are affected. Luckily,
even high readings can be easily
brought down to safe levels.”
Muntak suggests owners do
simple things such as seal base-
ment wall and floor cracks and
cover and seal any exposed soil
areas with plastic sheeting. If
a test indicates a home’s radon
levels are very high, a certified
contractor can install a ventila-
tion system to ensure the gas
naturally flows out of your home,
instead of staying sealed inside.
A typical cost, according to
Muntak, would be $3,000 includ-
ing HST for an average home
with a basement.
“I tell people the best way to
know if your home is safe is to
invest in a simple and inexpen-
sive radon test and go from there.
There is no reason to panic as ra-
don problems can be easily fixed,”
added Muntak.
Note: Leading Health Authorities expect
only a small percentage of Canadian
homes will have radon levels above the
safe national guideline of 200 Bq/m3.
How do I test my home for Radon?
Testing for radon is easy and
inexpensive. Buy a radon test kit
online or from a retailer. Health
Canada recommends you buy a
long-term test kit – one that meas-
ures radon levels for a minimum
of three months.
Put the radon detector in the
lowest lived-in level of your home,
and leave it there for at least three
months. Afterwards, mail it to the
manufacturer and they will send
you the test results.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
order your FREE radon test kit!
Beginning October 10, 2010 the
BC Lung Association is making
FREE radon test kits available on a
first come, first served while sup-
plies last. To order, call
1 800 665 LUNG (5864) or email
Radon Is It In your home?
12 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010
Asthma is a serious global health problem, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. The disease
is predominantly an inflammatory dis-
order of the conducting airways, and
can be treated or controlled using cur-
rent therapies. However, uncontrolled
asthma leads to continual inflamma-
tion and damage, resulting in perma-
nent scarring.
Dr. Tillie Hackett of the UBC James Hogg
Research Centre at the Heart + Lung
Institute – recipient of a 2010 research
grant from the BC Lung Association –
talks here about how her research
may uncover clues to new and better
asthma therapies.
What are you researching?
My research is focused on how the lung repairs itself fol-
lowing the normal exposures we breathe in everyday such
as aeroallergens, pollution and viruses. Most people don’t
know the sur face a rea o f the lung i s 160 m2, wh ich
equates to the singles area of a tennis court, all neatly
folded away into our rib cage. That’s a lot of air our lungs
need to filter with every breath to remove minute toxins.
Thankfully, our lung is lined with a defensive barrier called
the airway epithelium which like our skin or the lining of
the digestive tract works with our immune system to re-
move foreign substances from the lung.
Working to improve the lives of
asthma sufferers
Q&A with BC Lung Association 2010 Research Grant
Recipient, Dr. Tillie-Louise Hackett
Why and how do you hope to help people with asthma?
Despite significant advances in our understanding of the
mechanisms involved in asthma and availability of reliever
therapies, asthma still affects the daily lives of many Cana-
dians. In fact, the direct cost for asthma treatment in Can-
ada is currently estimated at $600
million per annum, which equates
to 14% of health care funding, mak-
ing asthma the second most expen-
sive disease to treat.
We now understand that the lining
of the airways (the airway epithelium)
displays signs of damage in patients
with asthma. Thus we need to un-
derstand the normal mechanisms
of epi thel ia l repai r to develop
better medications. We hope, by
achieving a greater understanding of
how the airway lining repairs itself, we
will be able to develop better medications to improve the
lives of Canadians with lung diseases.
The BC Lung Association provides approximately $1.2 million each
year to physicians and scientists doing research in British Columbia
on lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, emphysema, cystic
fibrosis, tuberculosis, and many others.
RESEARCH PROFILE
Asthma treatment in Canada
is currently estimated at
$600 million per year, which
equates to 14% of health
care funding, making asthma
the second most expensive
disease to treat.
bc.lung.ca 13
1Set a Quit DateSetting a date helps you take action and
make a firm plan. It’s a step ahead of
“thinking about quitting smoking someday soon.”
2 Enroll with QuitNowQuitNow By Phone’s (1 877 455 2233) trained
Care Coaches can help you set up a quit
plan that works best for you, or join the QuitNow
Online community (www.quitnow.ca) for peer
support, encouragement and advice.
3 Consider Stop Smoking MedicationsStop smoking aids, like nicotine replace-
ment therapy products and quit medications can
double, even triple a person’s success rate. Talk to
your physician, pharmacist or QuitNow-by-phone
Care Coach to see whether this is an option for you.
Some people have also achieved success with alter-
native therapies, such as hypnosis and acupuncture.
4 Change your Daily Routine Tobacco is a part of your daily routine and
lifestyle, so change the routine. Take a dif-
ferent route to work, have coffee breaks with non-
smokers, avoid situations where you know other
smokers are going to be, and make your home and
vehicle tobacco-free.
5 Get Support from Family & Friends Let your family and friends know what they
can do to help you: Do you want them to ask how
you’re doing, or would you rather not talk
about it? Ask them to be kind if you’re
cranky. Sharing experiences with
people who are also quitting
can help you – and them.
8Participate in Regular Physical ActivityPhysical activity can be very
helpful when you are trying to quit
smoking. Smokers are less likely
to be physically active, and people
who are physically active are less
likely to smoke.
9Reward yourselfQuitting smoking is a
Big Deal! So acknowledge
that and give yourself rewards as
you reach your goals. Start a money
jar or a freedom account and set
aside the money you’ll save by quit-
ting. Think of what you can do with
all the money you’re not spending
on tobacco!
10Believe that you Can Do ItStudies of tobacco users
who successfully quit confirm one
of the most important elements to
success is believing you can do it!
6 Prepare for With-drawal & Cravings Most relapses occur within
the first three months, and most
people try several times before
they quit. However, if you antici-
pate the challenges, like nicotine
withdrawal and cravings, you can
prepare some coping strategies to
get you through. Remember, crav-
ings come in waves and last only
about 5 minutes, so practice the
4Ds (Delay, Deep breathing, Drink
water, Distract) and ride it out.
7 Change your Eating HabitsStock up on fruits and
vegetables, prep them for a quick
snack, and you’ll have something
to reach for when you get a crav-
ing. Keep baby carrots, celery,
grapes and apples at hand when
you read or watch TV. Drinking
ice water will also help keep the
cravings at bay.
Top 10 Quit TipsReady to quit smoking? We’re here to help, 24/7.
field notes
1Encouraging golf lovers to give a little to help make lung disease history
At a cost of only $35 the Golf Privilege
Club© Membership book offers deep
discounts and reduced fees at close
to 500 courses in BC,
Alberta, Saskatchewan,
Manitoba, & Washington
State. By giving just a
little, golfers receive
great savings and
can help make lung
disease history. Call
1 800 665 5864 to
order your 2010
golf book!
2Helping put patients first by advocating for improve-ments in BC Pharmacare
The BC Lung Association is an active
member of the Better Pharmacare
Coalition, an advocacy organization
comprised of ten provincial health
organizations and consumer interest
groups. The Better Pharmacare Coalition
works to ensure appropriate and timely
BC Pharmacare program
coverage for evidence-
based prescription
medications and health
products. For more infor-
mation, visit
www.betterpharmacare.org
4Supporting an under-served lung patient population COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease – is amongst the most overlooked chronic con-
ditions in Canada. As the disease progresses, it has a profound
impact on the quality of patients’ lives. Lung function may de-
cline to the point where regular daily activities such as walking
and dressing are extremely difficult. In an effort to reach out to
lung patients, the BC Lung Association is working to expand its
Better Breathers’ support groups across BC. In September, a
new group was established in Vancouver’s North Shore region.
Call Kelly Ablog-Morrant at 1 800 665 5864 or email
[email protected] for more information.
5Planning the next North American meeting of leaders in TB control
As the North American Meeting
Secretariat for the International Union
Against Tuberculosis (TB) and Lung
Disease, the BC Lung Association plays
a role on the global stage. Plans are
already well under way for the 2011
Meeting taking place February 24-26
in Vancouver. More than 300 global
TB experts will meet to discuss clinical,
diagnostic, scientific and social changes
to tuberculosis control.
$35Only
The ultimate golf
savings book!
Save up to 50% in green fees at over 500 of
the finest golf courses in Western Canada
and Washington.
GOLF&
SAVE!
A Lung Association Fundraiser
1.800.665.5864 www.golfandsave.ca
The BC Lung Association has been dedicated to its mission of promoting and improving lung health for all British Columbians for over 100 years. Here are some of the things we’ve been up to lately.
3Announcing the winners of the 26th Annual Fresh Air Photo Contest The Lung Association and London Drugs
wrapped up their Annual Fresh Air Photo Contest
in August. The yearly contest challenges amateur
photographers from across Western Canada to
send in their best Fresh Air photo.
One overall Grand Prize is awarded as well as a
second, third and fourth place prizes. This year,
for the first time, the contest allowed participating
photographers to enter their photos online as well
in print. Visit www.bc.lung.ca to check out the
winning photographs.
Gabriola by Erin Thommery, Comox BC
14 Your Health — Fall/Winter 2010
10 Spreading the word about our quit smok-ing support services
Thanks to the efforts of our QuitNow
detailing team, made up of health
promotion professionals from across
BC, more and more smokers ready to
quit are learning
about our free
QuitNow services.
By meeting and
speaking with
BC health care
providers (family
doctors, dentists
and pharmacists)
as well as directly
with the public,
we’re succeeding in helping thousands
of British Columbians stop smoking.
7 Hosting Breathing Test Events across BC
In collaboration with lung
health community members and re-
tail pharmacy partners province-wide,
the BC Lung Association is working to
raise awareness of the importance of
a routine breathing (spirometry) test
for those most at risk: smokers or ex-
smokers over age 40. During October
and November 2010 the Association
is co-hosting a series of free breathing
test events where the public is invited
come out and meet with local lung
health professional and take a simple
test to determine how well their lungs
are working.
9Appointing our new 2010 BC Lung Association Volunteer Chair
The BC Lung Association’s 2010 Board
of Directors was elected at its annual
general meeting in
Vancouver in June
2010. This year the
Association elected
long-standing vol-
unteer director Muff
Hackett of Squamish
as volunteer Chair.
Mrs. Hackett is a
cherished member
of the BC Lung Association family and
is currently employed by School District
No. 48 Sea to Sky.8 Lawn bowling for a good cause: The Benefits of Bocce Tournament 2010
For the second year in a row, the BC Lung Association
partnered with the organizers of The Annual Benefits
of Bocce Tournament. This year’s event took place on Saturday,
August 21, 2010 at the bocce pits in North Vancouver. Thirty-
five enthusiastic bocce teams partook in a full day of Italian
lawn bowling action! Post-event fundraising will continue until
end October with organizers hopeful of reaching their $50,000
fundraising target. All proceeds will be donated to the BC Lung
Association. Thank you Benefits of Bocce organizers, sponsors
and participants for a fabulous event!
6Celebrating the success of our RBC GranFondo Whistler SUPERTEAM!
September 12, 2010 marked the first
annual RBC GranFondo Whistler –
a mass, competitive cycling race.
Nearly 4,000 riders participated
overall including a total 110 BC Lung
Association SUPERTEAM members
who together raised nearly $114,000
in support of vital lung health and air
quality programs. Thank you GranFondo
SUPERTEAM!
TOURISM WHISTLER / CHAD CHOMLACK
bc.lung.ca 15
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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: BC Lung Association, 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2