One extremely common misconception about radon is that the deadly gas and the associated dangers are all a hoax. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Worse yet, it is estimated that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year are related to radon exposure. This information comes directly from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General’s Office. This is not something made up by mitigation contractors or corporations. They are cold hard facts.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to understand the urgency of a situation when you’re just looking at numbers, stats and facts. It helps if you actually hear, or see first-hand accounts of those affected by such a thing. To realize the true impact one may need to hear from actual radon lung cancer victims and survivors.
That’s why we’re changing gears. We’re going to take a look at exactly that: people who have been affected by exposure to radon.
Cancer Survivors Against Radon (CanSAR)
CanSAR, or Cancer Survivors Against Radon, is a community dedicated to increasing the awareness of lung cancer, or more specifically radon induced lung cancer. Those diagnosed with lung cancer can visit the site to share their story with like-minded individuals and receive moral support or guidance.
Perhaps most interesting – and eye opening – are the stories shared by radon lung cancer victims and survivors that had no idea they were living with high levels of radon gas. There are dozens of these stories on the site about survivors and victims alike, who were affected by debilitating lung cancer brought on by exposure to radon gas. Some of them have even passed away after their battle with cancer.
Rightfully so, the group is lobbying for more discussion on the topic. They’re sending letters to prominent physicians calling for more public announcements, and they also organize events to share their stories with others. All the officers of CanSAR have been affected by lung cancer directly, which means they have either contracted the disease personally or know a close relative that has been affected by it. These are people that have had their lives changed, and it can all be attributed to radon exposure.
We recommend visiting the CanSAR site and reading a lot of their materials and content. It will give you a much closer look at the real victims of radon, those who have been harmed by the deadly gas in more ways than one. If you have been affected by lung cancer or you know someone that has, please at least visit the CanSAR website.
In the end, if this information pushes even just a single homeowner to test their residence for the deadly gas and take action, then it served its purpose.
