Twelve and a half years ago, I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancer. I had the lower lobe of my right lung removed on 3/24/09. No cancer cells were found in the lymph nodes, so no follow up treatment was given. My tumor was small and I was staged 1A. I was (and still am) one of the lucky ones thus far, as I have been considered NED (no evidence of disease) since my surgery.

My cancer was found early only because I was proactive and had entered an international lung cancer study in 2004. I was at high risk for lung cancer because I smoked for 30 years and then quit in 1990. Also, my mother, my uncle (her brother), and my paternal grandfather all ultimately died from lung cancer. I entered the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ElCAP) and had my scan at the Dorothy E. Schneider Cancer Center connected with Mills- Medical Center in Burlingame, CA.

If I had not been part of that study, my lung cancer would not have been found that early. I had no symptoms at all. Once again, I say I am one of the lucky ones. I now advocate for early detection of lung cancer for all, regardless of age, sex, and ethnicity. Lung cancer is an equal opportunity disease and early detection is a real lifesaver.

 My inspiration continues to be my mother. In 1975, at 64 years old, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, two years younger than the age at which I was diagnosed. She had the upper lobe of her right lung removed and did not have follow-up treatment. Two and a half years later, another primary cancer was found in the lower lobe of my mother’s left lung. A pie shaped wedge was surgically removed. Again, there was no follow-up treatment. When the second tumor appeared, I asked about my mother’s prognosis as to her lifespan. I was told it was not at all good. WRONG! My mother went on to live for 19 more years, 18 of which were cancer-free. My mother led a wonderful full and active life for those 18 years. At about 85 years of age, another lung tumor appeared. Nothing was done to treat this new tumor, as my mother had become too frail for her to physically withstand any treatment. My mother lived about nine more months before passing away at almost 86 years of age. Thus, my mother was and still is my inspiration. I pray I can live as she did.

Don’t wait! If you or your loved ones are at risk, find out more about lung cancer screening—watch the video and download the Understanding Lung Cancer Screening brochure.