Transcript Surviving Radon Induced Lung Cancer

Barb Sorgatz, Advocate
Cancer Survivors Against Radon
 June
2006 - went to ER with chest
pain/CT scan revealed spot on left lung
 Oct 2006 - follow-up CT scan inconclusive
 PET scan advised in 3 months
 November 2006 - research on Internet
revealed radon is leading cause of lung
cancer in non-smokers
 December 2006 - radon test indicated
levels 5 x over the recommended EPA
action level
 Installed radon mitigation system to
reduce radon levels
 January
2007- PET scan revealed suspicious
cells
 February 2007- had surgery to remove 20% of
left lung
 Tumor was a 2cm non small cell
adenocarcinoma - Stage 1B
 Consultations with 3 oncologists- determined
chemo and radiation was not necessary
 Exercise
was limited for 3 months
 June 2007 - returned to golfing and joined a
cardio rehab exercise program to increase
lung capacity
 September 2007 – returned to aerobics class
2-3 times a week
 September 2010 - lung function is now at 97%
 Radon
is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas
 Is produced by naturally decaying uranium
and radium in soil and rock
 Radon gas : inhaled and absorbed into lungs,
causing lung cell damage.
 Risk of developing lung cancer depends on
radon levels and exposure time
 50%
of all lung cancers occur in former
smokers or non-smokers
 I am 1 in 17 women who did develop lung
cancer
 I am 1 of 1,160 Illinois citizens who was at
risk of developing radon related lung cancer
 More
cancer deaths are due to lung cancer
than breast, prostate, and colon cancer
combined.
 Lung cancer is the leading cancer death
among women in the U.S.
 The 5 year survival rate for lung cancer is
15%.
A
stigma is attached to a lung cancer
diagnosis.
 Many people, including my doctors, assumed
I was a smoker.
 This stigma could account for the funding
disparity between lung cancer and other
cancers.
I
have become an advocate by:
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sharing my story with the news media
speaking at conferences
distributing radon test kits at health fairs
participating in fundraising events
encouraging friends, family and co-workers to test
their homes for radon
Joining CANSAR (Cancer Survivors Against Radon) and
AARST to instill change in national policy
 Pamphlets
on lung cancer and radon in
physicians’ offices
 Radon questions on patient health history
forms
 Cost effective screening tool for lung cancer
 Good
prognosis
 Opportunity to focus on radon awareness and
education
 New network of friends in radon world
working together to save lives
 American
Cancer Society. Facts and Figures
2006
 American Lung Association
 Illinois Emergency Management Agency
 SEER Cancer Statistics Review