my cancer journey

Gail Orcutt’s Story and Advocacy to Check for Radon

​Last fall I was honored to share my cancer journey with some members of the Beyond Pink TEAM, BPT. I still find it hard to believe that I ever had lung cancer. I have never smoked, but none of the six physicians who knew my diagnosis suggested that radon might be the cause. My left lung was removed, and I endured twelve weeks of chemotherapy. Luckily, we caught it early, but none of my physicians ever mentioned radon, so if I hadn’t found an article about radon, my one healthy lung might still be in jeopardy.

How does this happen? Millions of years ago, the glaciers deposited uranium across a large portion of the country. As uranium decays, radon – a colorless, odorless gas – is one of the by-products. Like uranium, radon is radioactive. As it continues to decay, it can do such damage to your lungs that cancer is the result just by breathing the air.

Seven out of ten homes in Iowa contain a dangerous level of radon. The good news is that a house can be fixed (mitigated) in just a day. You can buy an accurate test kit from the American Lung Association for just $10 by calling 1-800-383-5992 or go to HealthHouse.org. The kit directions are easy to follow.

Everyone in Iowa needs to test their home every two years. There are no kinds of houses exempt from needing to be tested. The age or type of foundation of your house makes no difference. Even homes that already have a mitigation system should be checked every other year. If you are planning to build, you can use inexpensive radon resistant construction. (see http://www.epa.gov/radon/)

Nearly 400 Iowans die each year because they didn’t know about radon. Lung cancer from radon is so preventable. I don’t want you or anyone you love to get lung cancer from radon. I learned the hard way. Maybe you’ve been thinking, “I’ve been meaning to do that.” Now is the time to act.

If you would like more information, BreathingEasier.info is a good resource. Watch the 20 minute video; check into the scientific articles linked near the bottom of the page; and share the page with your family physician.

You have a choice and a responsibility to control one factor that causes cancer. Do it! 

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