'Faces of Lung Cancer' photo exhibit at Markey Cancer Center is meant to spread awareness about disease and its prevention

Lung cancer survivor Juanita Meade

"Faces of Lung Cancer," a photo exhibit with portraits and inspirational messages from nine lung cancer survivors in Kentucky, is on display at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center on the 1st floor atrium of the Combs Research Building, 800 Rose St., until Monday, Dec. 16.

This exhibit was coordinated by the Kentucky Cancer Program to spread awareness about lung cancer and prevention, according to a UK press release.

Lung cancer kills more Kentuckians every year than the next eight most common cancers combined, and Kentucky leads the nation in both lung cancer and deaths from it, and by some estimates also leads in smoking, the leading cause of lung cancer.

An estimated 25 to 28 percent of Kentuckians are smokers, compared to 18 or 19 percent nationally.

Kathy Sinclair, lung cancer survivor

And while tobacco use increases your risk, the UK release notes that anyone can develop the disease: "Lung cancer kills nearly twice as many women as breast cancer, and is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in the U.S."

Symptoms are generally not noticeable in the early stages of lung cancer, according to UK's Health Education through Extension Leadership newsletter.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:
• Chronic cough
• Hoarseness
• Coughing up blood
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained fever
• Wheezing
• Repeated bouts of bronchitis and/or pneumonia
• Chest pain