Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
Connie Alexakos would prefer not to be in the spotlight, but for the second time this 75-year-old Summit County resident is speaking out after her diagnosis with radon-induced lung cancer nearly a year ago.
Sadly her cancer has since spread to her brain. She wants to raise awareness for the deadly gas that has taken lives across Utah.
Utah's cancerous landscape
Radon is a radioactive gas that is prevalent across the state of Utah and is created when uranium below the ground decays and the gases seep into the ground's surface.
While radon exposure is not much of a concern outdoors, the gas can get trapped in your home and change the DNA in your lungs.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and claims 21,000 American lives per year. Utahns are at an exceptionally high risk, and most have no idea they've been exposed until they receive a stage three or four lung cancer diagnosis.
In a recent study that examined the radon levels of over 73,000 Utah homes, 49% tested at or above the level the World Health Organization considers dangerous and recommends installing a radon mitigation system.
Connie's journey with lung cancer
Unfortunately, Connie experienced a common path to lung cancer diagnosis. She began experiencing mild symptoms that were similar to seasonal allergies, and after two years, she finally got a doctor to order a CT scan.
She was immediately sent to Huntsman Cancer Institute and was diagnosed with lung, bone, and liver cancer.
I want all Utahns to know that radon is the number one cause of non-smoking related lung cancer, and by the time you know about it, and do something about it, it could be way too late.
–Connie Alexakos
After a year on medication to treat her lung cancer, Connie's lung tumor started to grow again, and a spot was discovered on her brain. Following this discovery, Connie experienced a stroke which is believed to be tied to her lung cancer.
She has since received radiation treatments that have treated her cancer, but they have significantly impacted her overall health.
"The treatment was hard to recover from and affected my weight and general fitness level," Connie shared.
Regardless of the cards she's been dealt, Connie believes "you put one foot in front of the other, do everything to make your health decisions mean something in your life and your families and know your team and your family are there for you - a positive attitude is imperative."
Connie's plea to Utahns
If Connie could share one thing with her community, it's that radon and non-smoking lung cancer can impact not only you but also your loved ones.
"My grandkids lived in a house that was mitigated after eight years of living there. They were at 26.0 [pCi/L] (way over the safe level of below 2.7 pCi/L) before mitigation. People think it won't affect them, but it could, and then it is too late."
Connie also wants local healthcare providers to be more educated about radon. She recently saw her eye doctor and learned he's had his house mitigated for radon, but had no idea it was dangerous to be exposed to it.
While she's grateful for the care she's received from the medical community, she knows more education is needed to protect those around her.
"I talk about radon awareness daily," shares Connie. "I want all Utahns to know that radon is the number one cause of non-smoking related lung cancer, and by the time you know about it, and do something about it, it could be way too late."
The only way to detect radon is for test for it. This can be done with a simple do-it-yourself radon test kit. To receive a free radon test kit, visit UtahRadon.org.
