August Healthcare Observances: World Lung Cancer Day, Gastroparesis Awareness Month, and More

August is an exciting month for national health observances and national holidays. With World Lung Cancer Awareness Day, National Senior Citizens Day, and many more, there’s much to look out for as the month progresses. 

Today, we want to help you learn more about showing your support this August. Below, we’ve curated a list of days, weeks, and month-long observances to put on your calendar. 

World Lung Cancer Day

World Lung Cancer Day is observed each year on August 1st. This is an important day to come together to grieve those lost to lung cancer, help people at risk take preventative measures against cancer, and thank the caregivers and medical professionals who aid in treatment efforts. 

Lung cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the world, with almost 2.5 million diagnoses in 2022. It’s also one of the leading causes of cancer deaths across the globe, often because it’s caught in the later stages of the disease, making it more challenging to treat. 

However, lung cancer is a highly preventable type of cancer. The main cause of lung cancer is smoking tobacco, accounting for 85% of all lung cancer cases. One of the best ways to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer is to abstain from smoking and limit your secondhand smoke intake. 

Most of us are familiar with how cancer works and the symptoms of lung cancer, but for educational purposes, we’ll give a quick overview. Lung cancer happens when cancerous cells start growing and spreading in the lungs. Common symptoms of lung cancer include a bad cough that doesn’t go away, lung infections, and chest pain. 

The best way to treat lung cancer is to catch it early, as treatment options are limited in the later stages of lung cancer. This is a big focus of World Lung Cancer Day, spreading awareness about the prevalence, signs, and early detection methods. 

You can participate in World Lung Cancer Day by doing one or many of the following:

• Advocate for early detection. If you or someone you know smokes cigarettes regularly, it’s vital for them to get tested for lung cancer. The best way to detect lung cancer is with a low-dose CT scan. Even if you don’t smoke, if you’re between ages 50 and 80 and have not gotten a cancer screening recently, it might be a good idea to consider getting a checkup just in case. 

• Learn more about lung cancer. Education is the best way to combat diseases like cancer. Knowing the early warning signs and causes and taking preventative steps is the best line of defense against cancer. 

• Support a trusted cancer organization. Many cancer research organizations accept donations to fund their research and develop treatment methods.

• Join the conversation on social media. You can use #WorldLungCancerDay to show your support, share your story, or get more involved in the lung cancer community online. 

• Support your friends and family. If you know someone who has had lung cancer or is currently fighting lung cancer, reach out to let them know they have your support. 

National Senior Citizens Day

Each August 21st, the United States celebrates National Senior Citizens Day. This observance was first established in 1988 when then-President Reagan wanted to honor the country’s elderly population. 

As of the 2020 census, seniors made up 1 in 6 of the U.S. population. This number is expected to grow drastically as life expectancy increases and the biggest generation in history, the baby boomers, continue to reach their golden years.  

National Senior Citizens Day aims to celebrate and thank our senior citizens for their contributions to society. Many seniors today helped shape the very fabric of our society through countless technological achievements and sacrifices serving our country. 

You can show your support this August 21st by:

• Spend time with a senior citizen. Whether you’re visiting your aging parent or grandparent or simply taking some time to bring flowers to those at your local senior center, each moment spent with older Americans is precious. Many seniors experience profound loneliness, and connecting with others is the best way to brighten their days. 

• Spread the message online. While seniors themselves may not be tech-savvy, younger people are. Raising awareness online might encourage someone to call or visit an aging loved one. 

• Volunteer with seniors in your community. If you want to go above and beyond, consider volunteering at your local senior center or a nearby long-term care facility. 

Gastroparesis Awareness Month

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month, which is dedicated to raising awareness of Gastroparesis and other gastrointestinal issues. 

Gastroparesis is an uncommon chronic condition that affects stomach muscles and the body’s ability to move and properly digest food. It often causes food to move slowly or to stop altogether as it moves from the stomach to the intestines. 

As you can imagine, this can cause immense pain for those with the condition. Other symptoms might include nausea, vomiting, or malnutrition. 

It’s estimated around 10 in every 100,000 men and 40 in every 100,000 women have Gastroparesis. However, around 25% of the U.S. population experiences symptoms similar to Gastroparesis. Statistically, it’s not a common condition, but given its broad symptoms, it can be hard to diagnose and may affect more people than previously thought. 

This August, the goal is to spread awareness about both Gastroparesis and other gastrointestinal conditions and diseases. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) wants to help people learn more about these conditions, encourage preventative care, and help patients and families manage current conditions.

There are several ways you can get involved and show your support for this important healthcare observance, including:

• Join the discussions on social media. The IFFGD is encouraging patients and affected family and friends to use #LivingWithGP to share their stories and raise awareness about the condition. Commenting on these posts can help just as much as making the post yourself. 

• Learn more about Gastroparesis. It never hurts to be more educated about gastrointestinal conditions. Knowing more may help you advocate or care for someone you know experiencing symptoms. 

• Reach out to someone you know who has Gastroparesis or another gastrointestinal condition. Connecting with those suffering from the condition can improve their overall well-being. Tell them you’re here for them and ask if there’s anything you can do to help. 

• Take preventative measures. A number of things can cause Gastroparesis, but one of the most common ways people get the condition is through diabetes. Taking preventative measures to prevent or delay diabetes, like maintaining a well-balanced diet and active lifestyle, can reduce your chance of developing negative conditions in the future. 

Other August Healthcare Observances

Just because a certain healthcare observance didn't get its own section doesn't make it any less vital than the other. Here are a few other important health topics to keep your eye on this month:

• National Health Center Week. National Health Center Week is observed from August 4th through August 10th. This observance honors healthcare workers for their hard work. 

• Psoriasis Action Month. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin rashes or abnormalities. It's currently incurable and can be incredibly painful for those suffering. The goal of Psoriasis Awareness Month is to raise support for those living with Psoriasis and help them get the treatment and support they need. 

• International Overdose Awareness Day. Each August 31st, the world comes together to grieve the loss of those who have died due to overdose. This observance aims to spread awareness about drug overdoses and help those currently struggling with drug abuse. 

• National Wellness Month. What's more important than taking good care of yourself? This August we encourage you to take a step back from your daily routine and practice some self-care, eat healthier, and get some physical activity into your day.  

• National Breastfeeding Month. Despite being a natural and essential part of raising a newborn child, breastfeeding in the U.S. still faces a lot of stigma. This observance advocates for mothers, helping them raise happy, healthy children. 

• Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. This observance aims to educate parents about the importance of their children's eye health, with the goal of helping prevent blindness and other eye-related conditions. 

• Summer Sun Safety Month. Too much UV exposure is linked to skin cancer; this observance encourages safety and sunscreen as the summer heat continues. 

• National Immunization Awareness Month. Vaccines are one of the greatest preventative measures against prevalent diseases and conditions. The CDC's educational website has more about vaccine schedules and frequently asked questions about vaccines.  

Support a Cause You Care About This August

There are plenty of healthcare awareness days and observances to show your support for this August. Getting involved online or in your community can be a great way to help people in need and to spread awareness to those who may not know about these ongoing advocacy campaigns.