Smoking, radon, and secondhand smoke are the leading causes of lung cancer.
No surprise.
But, Moms, there are some low-cost things you can do to protect your family and yourself. Like me, you probably know them already but have not yet acted. I did this past week. It didn’t take much time. Honest.
Here’s my wake-up call:
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer - among non-smokers!
It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually. You can’t see, smell or taste this natural radioactive gas.
Why you should act now.
Although lung cancer can be treated, the survival rate is one of the lowest for those with cancer. From the time of diagnosis, between 11 and 15 percent of those afflicted will live beyond five years, depending upon demographic factors. In many cases lung cancer can be prevented; this is especially true for radon.
• Testing is simple and only takes a few minutes.
• Do it yourself or hire a professional. Buy a $10 radon test kit from the National Safety Council online or by calling the Helpline, (800) 557-2366.
• Hire a professional to help if you are time-pressed and have the money. (Darn, I wish it did not have to be both, but it does not cost much and I did it myself.)
• Also some home improvement stores have test kits.
If the test shows you have elevated radon levels (4 pCi/L or higher) get a free Radon Fix-It here or by calling (800) 644-6999
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