END THIS DISEASE. IT’S A DISEASE THAT TAKES THE LIVES OF MORE THAN 350 AMERICANS DAILY. AND WHILE PENNSYLVANIA IS RANKED IN THE TOP TEN FOR SURVIVAL, RATES WERE LAGGING BEHIND IN OTHER AREAS. THERE’S A HIGH AMOUNT OF LIMESTONE HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA, AND THAT CAUSES AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF RADON THAT IS GOING TO SEEP INTO BUILDINGS IN THIS YEAR’S AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, STATE OF LUNG CANCER REPORT. IT SHOWS PA IS STRUGGLING WITH A SILENT KILLER. THAT’S RADON EXPOSURE. THE STATE IS RANKED 39 OUT OF 51 IN THE U.S. FOR PERCENT OF RADON RESULTS EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN EPA RECOMMENDED LEVELS. ELIZABETH HENSEL, WITH THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION SAYS YOU NEED TO GET YOUR HOME TESTED ONCE EVERY TEN YEARS OR SO TO SEE IF LEVELS HAVE INCREASED. IF SO, YOU NEED TO DO REMEDIATION. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE VERY FEARFUL OF THAT. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE UNDERTAKING, AND IT’S SO MUCH BETTER THAN DYING SILENTLY OF LUNG CANCER FROM RADON. THE STATE, ALSO STRUGGLING WITH REDUCING SMOKING RATES. A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE SMOKING THAN YOU WOULD THINK. HENSEL SAYS PART OF THE REASONING BEHIND THIS IS YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE VAPING. SHE EXPLAINED EDUCATING THE YOUTH ON THE DANGERS OF IT IS KEY. A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT VAPING IS A STEP DOWN FROM SMOKING CIGARETTES. IT IS JUST AS DANGEROUS, IF NOT MORE DANGEROUS. HER NUMBER ONE PIECE OF ADVICE. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET AN EARLY DETECTION SCREENING FOR LUNG CANCER. IT MAY JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE. THE LIKELIHOOD OF YOU LIVING MUCH LONGER IS SO MUCH GREATER. THE EARLIER YOU DETECT IT. COVERING A
Pennsylvania struggles with radon exposure and smoking rates in fight against lung cancer
Updated: 2:02 PM EST Nov 5, 2025
The American Lung Association released its 2025 “State of Lung Cancer” report, which shows Pennsylvania is struggling in some areas.The disease takes the lives of more than 350 Americans daily, according to the report. While Pennsylvania is ranked in the top 10 for survival rates, the state is lagging behind in other areas.”There’s a high amount of limestone here in Pennsylvania, and that causes an increase in the amount of radon that is going to seep into buildings,” said Elizabeth Hensil, advocacy director for the American Lung Association.This year’s report shows the state is struggling with radon exposure, a silent killer. Pennsylvania is ranked No. 39 out of 51 in the U.S. for the percent of radon results equal to or higher than EPA-recommended levels.Hensil said a home should be tested once every 10 years or so to see if levels have increased. If so, remediation will be needed.”Remediation — a lot of people are very fearful of that. It doesn’t have to be a very expensive undertaking, and it’s so much better than dying silently of lung cancer from radon,” Hensil said.The state is also struggling with reducing smoking rates.”There’s a lot more people smoking than you may think,” Hensil said.She says part of the reasoning behind this is that younger people are vaping, and educating them on the dangers is key.”A lot of people believe that vaping is a step down from smoking cigarettes. It is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous,” Hensil said.Hensil said her top piece of advice is to check with a doctor to see if you can get an early detection screening for lung cancer. It may just save your life.”The likelihood of you living much longer is so much greater the earlier you detect it,” she said.
PITTSBURGH —
The American Lung Association released its 2025 “State of Lung Cancer” report, which shows Pennsylvania is struggling in some areas.
The disease takes the lives of more than 350 Americans daily, according to the report. While Pennsylvania is ranked in the top 10 for survival rates, the state is lagging behind in other areas.
“There’s a high amount of limestone here in Pennsylvania, and that causes an increase in the amount of radon that is going to seep into buildings,” said Elizabeth Hensil, advocacy director for the American Lung Association.
This year’s report shows the state is struggling with radon exposure, a silent killer. Pennsylvania is ranked No. 39 out of 51 in the U.S. for the percent of radon results equal to or higher than EPA-recommended levels.
Hensil said a home should be tested once every 10 years or so to see if levels have increased. If so, remediation will be needed.
“Remediation — a lot of people are very fearful of that. It doesn’t have to be a very expensive undertaking, and it’s so much better than dying silently of lung cancer from radon,” Hensil said.
The state is also struggling with reducing smoking rates.
“There’s a lot more people smoking than you may think,” Hensil said.
She says part of the reasoning behind this is that younger people are vaping, and educating them on the dangers is key.
“A lot of people believe that vaping is a step down from smoking cigarettes. It is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous,” Hensil said.
Hensil said her top piece of advice is to check with a doctor to see if you can get an early detection screening for lung cancer. It may just save your life.
“The likelihood of you living much longer is so much greater the earlier you detect it,” she said.