Lung Cancer and Our Genes: Why We’re Talking About It
Only 1 in 5 people who qualify for lung cancer screening actually get it. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the US, and new research is linking it to the same hereditary gene mutations so many of us carry, including BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, CHEK2, and TP53.
For Lung Cancer Awareness Month, I went down the research rabbit hole so you don’t have to. We’re breaking down what the numbers really say, the myths that keep people from getting screened, and what this emerging science could mean for previvors, survivors, and anyone with hereditary cancer in their family.
In this episode:
✨ Why lung cancer is so often found late, and how early detection changes everything
✨ What a low-dose CT scan is like, plus my own experience being monitored.
✨ Who qualifies for screening (and what a “pack year” actually means)
✨ The myths: "Only smokers get it,” "It's an older man’s disease,” “I feel fine, so I’m fine."
✨ Why lung cancer takes more women’s lives each year than breast cancer
✨ Radon, the invisible gas you can test for at home
✨ New research on inherited mutations and lung cancer, and the questions worth bringing to your doctor
You don’t need to panic. You just need the whole picture. 💖
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Check if you qualify for lung cancer screening (2-minute quiz from the American Lung Association): savedbythescan.org/quiz
Learn more about lung cancer: lung.org/lung-cancer
Radon testing info and how to find a test kit (EPA): epa.gov/radon
Team Draft, Chris Draft’s lung cancer awareness organization: teamdraft.org
Hereditary cancer support and genetic testing info (FORCE): facingourrisk.org
Stay connected:
Instagram: @brcaandbeyond
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This podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your own healthcare provider before making medical decisions.
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