To mark the launch of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, which began on Nov. 1, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) hosted an event at its Moses campus in Norwood, along with a pair of giant, inflatable lungs in efforts to help educate the community about the importance of life-saving lung cancer screening.

According to Montefiore Einstein officials, while more people die from lung cancer than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined, in New York, only 6% of those at high risk who are between the ages of 50 and 80, have a 20-pack-year smoking history, and currently smoke or who quit smoking within the past 15 years, are screened.

Montefiore Einstein officials said screening helps identify cancers in a person at a stage where there is the greatest chance of curing it or treating it with the best available options. A designated comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Montefiore Einstein officials say MECCC offers the most advanced lung cancer care, support, and access to clinical trials, in the local community. For more information, call (718) 430-3613.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly described those at high-risk of lung cancer as having a 20-year smoking history. As above, a person’s risk of lung cancer is calculated using the “pack year” formula described above. The article has since been updated to reflect this clarification. We apologize for confusion in this regard.