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: 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