SAN ANTONIO \u2013 A San Antonio woman is using her own experience as a lung cancer survivor, along with recent news about the Pope\u2019s lung cancer diagnosis, to remind people that the disease can affect nonsmokers, too.<\/p>\n
Fran Yanity said doctors found a lump on her right lung only after she paid out of pocket for an executive physical exam. She had no warning signs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no symptoms. I didn\u2019t feel a thing,\u201d Yanity said.<\/p>\n
The American Cancer Society says lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. About 20% of lung cancer cases happen in people who have never smoked.<\/p>\n
Yanity said she is frustrated that many insurance plans cover lung cancer screenings only for people older than 50 who have a history of smoking.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout 50% of people that are currently diagnosed with lung cancer fall outside of those guidelines, myself included,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Jason Gauthier, a cardiothoracic surgeon at University Hospital, said nonsmokers should talk with their family doctor if they are concerned about their risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have a history of environmental exposure and environmental pollutants, if you have family history, these are all things that increase your risk,\u201d Gauthier said.<\/p>\n
Once lung cancer develops, it causes symptoms.<\/p>\n
Warning signs can include:<\/p>\n
Chest discomfort such as pain or pressure<\/p>\n
A dry cough lasting more than three weeks<\/p>\n
Coughing up brown mucus or blood<\/p>\n
Repeated cases of pneumonia<\/p>\n
Gauthier said lung cancer in nonsmokers is often found by accident, when patients are getting scans for another reason.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of people who are nonsmokers, low risk, otherwise wouldn\u2019t get screening that I find, are patients that often get a scan for another reason,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Yanity said she now feels compelled to speak out so others understand the risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cLung cancer kills more people than any other cancer, and people aren\u2019t talking about it,\u201d she said. \u201cLung cancer can happen to anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read also: <\/p>\n
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