Lung Disease Foundation of Central PA

10/22/2026

🍂🫁 Fall Air Can Affect Your Lungs

Cooler temperatures, outdoor allergens, and smoke from fireplaces or outdoor fires can all affect the air you breathe.

If you have asthma, COPD, or another lung condition:

✔ Check the air quality before spending time outside
✔ Keep your home free from smoke
✔ Take breaks when you need them
✔ Follow your treatment plan

Small changes can help make fall breathing a little easier. 💙

10/20/2026

PAPAL CANCER

The topic of lung cancer has once again raised its
ugly head with the news that Pope Leo was operated
on for an adenocarcinoma of the lung. Of course, many
question now arise about this type of cancer and what
it means for the long-term outlook for the Pope. I have
spoken about lung cancer many times in this column
but given the current concern about the Pope I feel a
brief review is warranted.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung
cancer found. The management of this cancer is now
driven by molecular testing and gene expression. The
best treatment is surgical removal. This is what the
Pope had done. However, before this happened, I
am sure he had other studies to determine if surgery
was the best option since survival still depends on the
extent of disease or more correctly said, the stage of
the cancer. Stages are determined by the anatomic
extent of the disease going from very localized to
widely spread. The stages are determined by various
tests including lymph node biopsy, PET scanning, and
lab studies.
There are four stages to consider with
adenocarcinoma of the lung. Survival in Stage I (the
best) at three years is 84%, Stage II 65.9%, Stage III
49.5%, and Stage IV 21.3%. Survival has improved
due to better staging techniques, so patients are not
subjected to surgeries that would not be helpful,
and there are now more effective biologic and
chemotherapeutic options. We wish the Pope well.

10/19/2026

🚭💙 You Don’t Have to Quit Alone

Maybe you’ve been thinking about quitting for months. Maybe you’ve tried before. Maybe you’re just tired of smoking controlling part of your day.

Our FREE Freedom From Smoking® classes provide support, encouragement, and practical tools to help you take that next step.

📞 Call 814-946-2845 x200 to learn about upcoming classes.

Your reason for quitting is worth taking the first step. 🫁

10/16/2026

🫁💉 Protect Your Lungs This Respiratory Virus Season

Fall brings cooler weather—and the start of respiratory virus season.

The American Lung Association has helpful information about vaccines and how they can help prevent pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.

Read the article:
https://www.lung.org/blog/vaccines-prevent-pneumonia-respiratory-illnesses

A little prevention can go a long way toward protecting your lungs. 💙

©2026 American Lung Association. The American Lung Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our Tax ID is: 13‑1632524.

10/15/2026

The Lung Disease Foundation of Central PA is dedicated to assisting those living in Central PA to stop smoking.

That is why we’re bringing you from our Freedom From Smoking Program Team!

“Studies show that using NRT (Ni****ne Replacement Therapies) can double or triple quitting smoking for good success rates. Utilize these!”

Take part in our next series of Freedom From Smoking classes for more great tips and the help and support you need!

For more information, visit www.lungdiseasefoundation.org. To register for the next series of classes, call (814) 977-4455 or (814) 946-2845 today!

10/13/2026

PE

There are many acute and sudden events that can
be catastrophic. The first of these to come to mind
would be a heart attack where the heart is suddenly
deprived of the needed oxygen and other nutrients
because of a sudden blockage of one or more of the
coronary arteries feeding it.
Just as potentially catastrophic and deadly is an
event called a pulmonary embolism or PE. A pulmonary
embolism occurs when a large blood clot usually from
the leg breaks off and travels to the lungs and lodges
in one of the large blood vessels of the lungs called
pulmonary arteries. Unlike a heart attack, a pulmonary
embolism does not cause its potential life threating
consequences by depriving the lungs of oxygen.
The serious problems caused by a large blood clot
in the lungs are due to several things mostly related
around the increased stress on the right side of the
heart which is the chamber that pumps the blood
through the lungs. This blockage may lead to irregular
heart rhythms and failure of the right side of the heart
to be able to pump at all.
Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism may include
sudden shortness of breath, chest pain and marked
irregular heart rhythm.
The problem really stems from the clots that
form in the legs because of inactivity or some other
underlying condition such as a known or previously
unknown cancer. Long periods of inactivity such as
long car rides or being bedridden increase the risk.

10/12/2026

⚒️🫁 Standing With Our Miners

The work of coal miners has helped build and power communities throughout our region.

The Black Lung Coalition works to provide education, advocacy, and support for miners and families affected by Black Lung disease.

💙 Learn more:
https://www.lungdiseasefoundation.org/resources/black-lung-coalition

10/09/2026

💉🍂 Fall is here, which means it's time to think about protecting yourself during respiratory illness season.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can help reduce your risk of serious illness. Staying up to date is especially important for people who may be at higher risk for complications from respiratory infections.

Talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines are recommended for you.

Protect yourself. Protect your lungs. 🫁❤️

💉🫁

10/07/2026

“The Buzz with Dr. Z” is live on WRTA 98.5 FM and 1240 AM.

If you have enjoyed Dr. Z’s weekly “The Buzz by Dr. Z” articles in the Altoona Mirror for the last 12+ years, you will enjoy this expanded version on the radio with “The Buzz with Dr. Z.”

Mark your calendars and tune in on Tuesday, October 20th, at 2 PM. Dr. Z is looking forward to seeing you on the radio!

10/06/2026

FLU AND YOU

Flu season is right around the corner and it’s time to
consider just how serious this infection may be. Annually,
worldwide influenza causes about 3-5 million people
to have severe illness and causes between 290,000
and 650,000 deaths each year. Those at risk for severe
disease are young children, adults over the age of 65,
pregnant patients and those with underlying chronic
diseases particularly lung disease. Most patients have
an acute illness that will last about 5-7 days, but the
symptoms of cough and fatigue may linger for weeks.
There is no specific treatment or cure for an influenza
infection. Certain medications called antivirals may
shorten the length of illness if taken with 48 hours of
symptoms. These shorten the duration of illness by
about 1 day. The best approach each year is to take the
advice that a referee gives to boxers just before the
start of the fight. He will tell them to “protect yourself
at all times”. The protection in this case is the influenza
vaccine which is recommended for patients greater than
6 months of age without contraindication. It has been
shown to reduce illness, hospitalizations and death.
While you are at it give some consideration to
the RSV and Covid vaccines as well. These infections
often parallel the seasonal rise in influenza because
of the increase in indoor activities during the winter
months. Most of these vaccines are offered free at
pharmacies particularly if you are a senior citizen.
Protect yourself at all times.