From prevention to screening: What Defence Team members need to know about lung cancer

October 20, 2025 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 2:15

Caption

A woman in a blue shirt breaking a cigarette in half.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Sadly, lung cancer is the most diagnosed and the deadliest cancer in Canada.

The Canadian Armed Forces Health Survey 2019 estimated that 17% of Regular Force personnel smoked at the time of the survey, meaning that almost 1 in 5 CAF members might be a current smoker. Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer.

Lower your risk and catch it early:

• Don’t start smoking
  • Over 70% of lung cancers are due to smoking tobacco.
  • Any amount of smoking can cause lung damage.
  • Making your spaces smoke- and vape-free helps protect your family, your friends, and even your pets from secondhand smoke, It also supports those who are trying to quit or who already have.
  • Keeping your home smoke-free will also increase its resale value!

• Quit smoking – it’s never too late!
  • It only takes a short time to see the benefits. Within 24hrs of quitting, your risk of heart attack starts to drop. 
  • CAF members: medications and nicotine replacement therapies are available through the CAF health plan. Talk to your primary care clinician or pharmacist to see what options are right for you.
  • Defence Team public servants: smoking cessation aids are covered up to 80% under the Public Service Health Care Plan.
  • Strengthening the Forces Health Promotion Office offers resources and support to CAF members, including BUTT OUT.

• Get Screened
  • Your dentist plays a key role in screening for lung cancer risk factors and may ask questions on your tobacco use during your periodic dental exam. Dental staff can also provide information and resources to help you learn about the effects of tobacco, vaping and cannabis, and options to help protect your health.
  • If you are 50 or older and have smoked a pack a day or more for 20 years, contact your primary care clinician to discuss lung cancer screening. Individuals who smoked heavily for shorter periods of time are encouraged to discuss with their provider, given that the ‘pack-year’ calculation may be complicated. Screening those at higher risk can catch lung cancer earlier, before it spreads. This can increase treatment options and improve a person’s chance of survival.

For more information, book an appointment with your dentist or primary care clinician.

Resources for CAF Members

• Cancer screening for CAF members

• See what the bases are doing to create healthier environments
  • Gagetown
  • Esquimalt

Resources for all Defence Team members

• DAOD 5020-1, Smoking in the Workplace
• Health Canada – Smoking, Vaping and tobacco
• Lower Risk Nicotine Guidelines
• Self Help Booklet: Quit with Confidence 
• Tools for a smoke-free life
• Provincial and Territorial Services for everyone
• Help someone quit smoking
• Canada’s Tobacco Strategy
• LifeSmart Coaching from Homewood Health by EAP (Smoking Cessation) (accessible only on the National Defence network)
• Short-Term Counselling from Homewood Health by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (accessible only on the National Defence network)