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Radon and Lung Cancer

Jan 24, 2018 | Mayo Clinic Chest Surgery Team | @mayoclinicchestsurgeryteam | Comments (3)

Dr. Eric Edell Podcast

With winter upon us and our houses sealed up to keep out the cold, we are reminded that the threat of radon gas exposure is real and that long-term exposure to radon gas can cause lung cancer. In fact, the National Cancer Institute sites radon as being the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

According to Mayo Clinic Q&A, Radon is created by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Over time, it becomes part of the air you breathe. In areas prone to radon, the gas can build up within homes and other buildings. If you live in an area where radon is known to be a problem, it’s a good idea to have your home tested for it. If the level of radon is high, there are ways to bring it down to a safer range.

Unfortunately, you cannot see, taste, or smell radon gas and newly constructed homes are not necessarily at any lower risk than an established home. Many states offer free (or low cost) testing kits and per the EPA each home owner/renter should test their home. If you have already tested - GREAT; but make sure to have a conversation with your friends, your family and your neighbors because each home is different.

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shortshot80 | @shortshot80 | Jan 26, 2018

Hi Teresa, What a confusing site to get here and to post something. January 12 I went to my oncologist and they checked my blood, it was low8.1 or so. Anyway they wanted to have a blood transfusion...... so started at 1:15 finished two units of blood, able to leave the hospital at 7.30pm. home by 2.45pm. The experience was not a good one for me January 16 had a chemo session. The chemo made my face swell up and I don't feel good yet. Of course with my face so swollen my dentures don't fit right either. I'm just a big mess. But I will get over it some how. My world won't melt away or disappear. Just feeling sorry for my self I guess. Also praying for my daughter in law with her lung cancer. She is haing pdroblems again. So will just keep praying for her. The weather here has been draining I think forever....seems like it anyway. I know that doesn't help my mood any. I also had to have a blood test at another hospital, while there I had to use the restroom. T got into the room ok, door was really heavy and when I pulled the door open to leave, I got my cane mixed up with the handle of the door, it tore the skin on the back of my right hand aprox size of a large quarter. So Ihave had that bandage for over 10 days now. My skin is so thin, it takes a long time for me to heal. What a terrible three weeks. Oh I wil get over it just takes time. shodrtshot80) Nancy

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 26, 2018
In reply to @shortshot80 "Hi Teresa, What a confusing site to get here and to post something. January 12 I..." + (show)
@shortshot80

Hi Teresa, What a confusing site to get here and to post something. January 12 I went to my oncologist and they checked my blood, it was low8.1 or so. Anyway they wanted to have a blood transfusion...... so started at 1:15 finished two units of blood, able to leave the hospital at 7.30pm. home by 2.45pm. The experience was not a good one for me January 16 had a chemo session. The chemo made my face swell up and I don't feel good yet. Of course with my face so swollen my dentures don't fit right either. I'm just a big mess. But I will get over it some how. My world won't melt away or disappear. Just feeling sorry for my self I guess. Also praying for my daughter in law with her lung cancer. She is haing pdroblems again. So will just keep praying for her. The weather here has been draining I think forever....seems like it anyway. I know that doesn't help my mood any. I also had to have a blood test at another hospital, while there I had to use the restroom. T got into the room ok, door was really heavy and when I pulled the door open to leave, I got my cane mixed up with the handle of the door, it tore the skin on the back of my right hand aprox size of a large quarter. So Ihave had that bandage for over 10 days now. My skin is so thin, it takes a long time for me to heal. What a terrible three weeks. Oh I wil get over it just takes time. shodrtshot80) Nancy

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Hi Nancy,
I think you were trying to respond to Teresa here in this discussion in the Lung Cancer group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/two-kinds-lung-cancer/?pg=7

To learn more about how to use Connect, you might find this guide helpful: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/two-kinds-lung-cancer/?pg=7

If you have further questions on using the site, you can always contact me using this form: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 26, 2018
In reply to @shortshot80 "Hi Teresa, What a confusing site to get here and to post something. January 12 I..." + (show)
@shortshot80

Hi Teresa, What a confusing site to get here and to post something. January 12 I went to my oncologist and they checked my blood, it was low8.1 or so. Anyway they wanted to have a blood transfusion...... so started at 1:15 finished two units of blood, able to leave the hospital at 7.30pm. home by 2.45pm. The experience was not a good one for me January 16 had a chemo session. The chemo made my face swell up and I don't feel good yet. Of course with my face so swollen my dentures don't fit right either. I'm just a big mess. But I will get over it some how. My world won't melt away or disappear. Just feeling sorry for my self I guess. Also praying for my daughter in law with her lung cancer. She is haing pdroblems again. So will just keep praying for her. The weather here has been draining I think forever....seems like it anyway. I know that doesn't help my mood any. I also had to have a blood test at another hospital, while there I had to use the restroom. T got into the room ok, door was really heavy and when I pulled the door open to leave, I got my cane mixed up with the handle of the door, it tore the skin on the back of my right hand aprox size of a large quarter. So Ihave had that bandage for over 10 days now. My skin is so thin, it takes a long time for me to heal. What a terrible three weeks. Oh I wil get over it just takes time. shodrtshot80) Nancy

Jump to this post

@shortshot80

Hi Nancy:

I'm so glad that you posted, you have been on my mind. It sounds like you have had a lot going on. I hope that you begin to recover from all of these difficulties soon. It really is OK to feel sorry for yourself every now and then, I can understand why all of these setbacks would be hard on you. You always have a way of regaining your positive attitude.

I'm so sorry to hear that your daughter-in-law is having problems again. How very difficult for your whole family. I'm sure you are concerned for her. How is your son managing with his wife's illness? I'll be sure to pray for you both.

Is your husband managing OK while you are not feeling well?

Take care and keep in touch, Nancy.

Teresa

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