ABOUT BREATHE FREE ME

Breathe Free ME is a community health program developed by Melissa Chretien, BS, RN, OCN, an oncology certified nurse and nursing student at Saint Joseph's College of Maine for one of her class projects. In her work with cancer patients and their families in Mid Coast Maine, Melissa noticed a rise in the number of lung cancer cases and the great difficulty endured by them during treatment. Additionally, she noticed a lack of understanding regarding the risk factors and ways to prevent lung cancer. Smoking continues to be a significant problem in Maine and the recent rise in e-cigarette use among teens and young adults threatens to create a new generation of lung cancer patients. In addition, radon risks are often overlooked or misunderstood despite the fact that high radon levels in Maine are a significant contributor to the development of lung cancer. As a result of these issues, the Breathe Free ME program was developed. Breathe Free ME aims to reduce the number of lung cancer cases through education and awareness. The program aspires to educate youth and young adults on the hazards of smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and radon gas exposure as well as prevent the initiation of tobacco use and increase smoking cessation attempts among current tobacco users.

HEALTHY AIR, HEALTHY BODY

Breathe Free for a happy, healthy ME.
​Lung cancer is preventable! Reduce risks by avoiding tobacco use. If you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke, don't start. No amount or type of tobacco is safe, including e-cigarettes. Learn ways to quit here for a happier healthier YOU!

GOALS

Breathe Free ME wants to help teens and young adults live healthier lives free from lung cancer.
  • Increase awareness of the prevalence of lung cancer in Maine.
  • Educate on risks of lung cancer.
  • Educate on the dangers of tobacco use - especially cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
  • Educate on hazards of radon gas, how to test and remediate.
  • Increase participation with tobacco cessation programs.
  • Reduce tobacco use.
  • Prevent non-smokers from starting.
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