1. Barb Sorgatz, Advocate Cancer Survivors Against Radon

2.  June 2006 - went to ER with chest pain/CT scan revealed spot on left lung  Oct 2006 - follow-up CT scan - inconclusive  PET scan advised in 3 months  November 2006 - research on Internet revealed radon is leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers  December 2006 - radon test indicated levels 5 x over the recommended EPA action level  Installed radon mitigation system to reduce radon levels

3.  January 2007- PET scan revealed suspicious cells  February 2007- had surgery to remove 20% of left lung  Tumor was a 2cm non small cell adenocarcinoma - Stage 1B  Consultations with 3 oncologists- determined chemo and radiation was not necessary

4.  Exercise was limited for 3 months  June 2007 - returned to golfing and joined a cardio rehab exercise program to increase lung capacity  September 2007 – returned to aerobics class 2-3 times a week  September 2010 - lung function is now at 97%

5.  Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas  Is produced by naturally decaying uranium and radium in soil and rock  Radon gas : inhaled and absorbed into lungs, causing lung cell damage.  Risk of developing lung cancer depends on radon levels and exposure time

6.  50% of all lung cancers occur in former smokers or non-smokers  I am 1 in 17 women who did develop lung cancer  I am 1 of 1,160 Illinois citizens who was at risk of developing radon related lung cancer

7.  More cancer deaths are due to lung cancer than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined.  Lung cancer is the leading cancer death among women in the U.S.  The 5 year survival rate for lung cancer is 15%.

8.  A stigma is attached to a lung cancer diagnosis.  Many people, including my doctors, assumed I was a smoker.  This stigma could account for the funding disparity between lung cancer and other cancers.

9.  I have become an advocate by:  sharing my story with the news media  speaking at conferences  distributing radon test kits at health fairs  participating in fundraising events  encouraging friends, family and co-workers to test their homes for radon  Joining CANSAR (Cancer Survivors Against Radon) and AARST to instill change in national policy

10.  Pamphlets on lung cancer and radon in physicians’ offices  Radon questions on patient health history forms  Cost effective screening tool for lung cancer

11.  Good prognosis  Opportunity to focus on radon awareness and education  New network of friends in radon world working together to save lives

12.  American Cancer Society. Facts and Figures 2006  American Lung Association  Illinois Emergency Management Agency  SEER Cancer Statistics Review