Radon Warning

[SOBALSO]

I finished my chemo about 11 weeks ago and went to see my GP for a follow-up. She stated that since I quit smoking 22 years ago she had a hunch that my lung cancer was more consistent with environmental issues and wanted me to check my house for radon gas. I was a doubting Thomas and thought Radon gas was a made up health scare but I followed her advice and boy was I glad. I might add that I live in the Ohio valley which is one of the worst areas of the country for Radon gas. I had a charcoal test done and it came back from the lab with a 66.4 reading. Now anything over 4.0 pCi/L is cause for concern. As a precaution I had a second test completed and this one came back even higher, 116.2 pCi/L. I immediately called radon mitigation companies to pursue my options.

One week after the mitigation was completed the radon gas readings were well under 2.0 pCi/L in every room of my house. For those interested I have a two story 5,000 sq ft house and the cost for the mitigation system was $1,800.00 and the work was completed in about 4 hours.

My GP may have just saved me from future recurrences of lung cancer by suggesting I get this test. Because of the radon our Doc wanted my wife, a non smoker, and 10 years younger than me, to have a CT scan. Unfortunately her results came back with lung nodules and mild COPD, now she's being watched. Please don't ignore this issue if you live in a high radon area.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Your doctor is awesome! Your warning is important. It may just save lives.

I send hope that your wife’s nodules are that other Ohio River Valley nodule maker-histoplasmosis. Half the people in the river valley will die never knowing they had them.

[KimGO2 Partner]

Thank you for sharing your story and experience. Glad you PCP is proactive. Maybe your PCP can encourage all their patients to have their home tested and mitigated. It is amazing how the process will lower the amount of radon in your home.

Sorry to hear that your wife has nodules but glad she will be under a watchful eye with them and also COPD. Sending hugs to you both! Warmly, Kim

[SOBALSO in reply to KimGO2]

Thank you all and we did share the results with our oncologists at the cancer center.

[Spainy]

Radon is an invisible killer. Everyone, no matter where you live, have your house tested. If you are buying a new house insist on radon tests as part of getting your home inspected. Thank you for pointing this out and so glad you got the tests and are knowledgeable about radon. Even though I was a current smoker my pulmonologist mentioned that radon was also a threat to my lungs. I had my house in Florida tested.

[Feelingblessed2013]

I had been an ex smoker for about 13 years when I got my first LC diagnosis. My GP suspected it was due to a house I had lived in for 10 years. The area is known for high radon levels, and my home was buttoned up tight. Even the basement had all glass block windows, air tight and warm, but apparently not healthy. I had moved a few years before my diagnosis, so no way to have that house tested. I did have my current house tested, and the level is 1.6.

I agree with others, it is a very good idea for all of us to have our homes tested.