SPECIAL EDITION: LUNGSASK 2024: OCTOBER | Page 16

... continued from page 15. [MaryAnn Bradley]

Being a lung cancer ambassador is important to me because it allows me to give a voice to those affected by this disease, including myself. It's also about raising awareness and dispelling the myths that surround lung cancer. Many people still associate lung

cancer solely with smoking, but there are countless other factors, like radon exposure and environmental pollutants, that contribute

to the disease. As an ambassador, I can help educate the public, reduce stigma, and push for stronger regulations to protect

future generations.

Ultimately, being a lung cancer ambassador is my way of turning my personal experience into positive action, helping to drive change, and supporting the lung cancer community in meaningful ways.

I wish all Canadians knew that lung cancer can affect anyone, regardless of their smoking history. If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer. It’s as simple as that.

To effectively protect Canadians from the dangers of radon and reduce the risk of lung cancer, the government should consider the following actions:

1. Nationwide Radon Testing Programs

2. Public Awareness Campaigns

3. Radon Mitigation Standards

4. Support for Research

5. Collaboration with Health Authorities:

6. Enhanced Building Codes

7. Long-term Monitoring and Data Collection

8. Financial Assistance for Mitigation

9. Partnerships with Local Governments

10. Regular Updates to Policies

By implementing a combination of these strategies, the government can significantly reduce radon-related health risks and protect Canadians from the dangers of lung cancer associated with radon exposure.

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