Radioactive
radon gas exposure is the leading environmental cause of cancer mortality; yet
very few people are protecting
themselves from this silent killer. With an estimated 21,000 U.S. deaths each
year from radon-induced lung cancer, a person must question: “Why aren’t our citizens protecting
themselves from this tragedy?” The
answer is simple; people don’t know about radon; they can’t see radon, taste
it, or smell it. Yet, it has been found
in every state in our union in high levels.
So the next logical question is “What makes people test for radon.” The six influencers in radon testing are: home inspections, word of mouth, legislation,
media, medical advice and lung cancer diagnosis—not necessarily in that
order.
Amy
Kleptach of TK Home Inspections says, “I always suggest a radon test, and I ask
who will be doing your radon test for you.”
She takes the time to explain the importance of testing for this
radioactive gas and explains the danger of exposure and the increased chance of
lung cancer due to the DNA damage to the cells in and around the lungs. Amy says, “This radioactive gas can linger in
your home, and it’s like your house is smoking for you!” “Facts tell, stories sell” according to Amy.
“Word
of mouth is the primary factor behind 20 percent to 50 percent of all
purchasing decisions,” according to Jonah Berger, CONTAGIOUS: WHY THINGS CATCH
ON. Motivated
radon activists don’t have to be paid to tell their stories. Word of mouth is more effective than
traditional advertising and is more effective, persuasive, and comes from
experience. When sharing stories,
getting people excited and making them laugh or angry is better than making
them sad. Educating others to make them
feel like knowledgeable insiders and giving them avenues to succeed will
influence action. Sharing love for
others through caring is what is persuasive.
The
confidence the patient has in the relationship with the physician is critical
and vital as to the trust given in suggestion for good health and healing. Primary care physicians have an opportunity
to develop strong connections with their patients and can emphasize wellness
and disease prevention communication.
Time spent in discussing the health risk of radioactive radon exposure
may save lives and prevent a lung cancer diagnosis. Enhancing the knowledge of the nurturing
doctor with the facts about the danger of radon exposure is a priority and
critical in helping to prevent lung cancer.
The history of a patient should include radon exposure as well as other
questions concerning environmental carcinogens.
Physicians who are advocates for the patient’s health provide resources
and education for the individual care of their patient by being proactive and
spearheading prevention of disease. When
physicians practice healthful behaviors themselves, counseling their patients
is more effective and the patients view the opinion of the physician as a trusted
source of information. Therefore, the
knowledge that the physician can related to the patient about the danger of
radioactive radon exposure, the ease of testing and mitigation if the level is
high can be lifesaving. An easy and time
saving method for this responsibility is an informative radon brochure and a
question on the patient history form:
“Have you tested your home for radon?”
Physicians that have tested their homes and offices and mitigated if the
level was elevated are great influencers and demonstrate a great
health-promoting behavior.
During
National Radon Action Month—January—many articles on radon appear in newspapers,
and news segments on TV are fairly common throughout our nation. When the articles are close to home in local
newspapers or in neighborhood publications, citizens are more likely to seek
out testing devices from public health departments or other sources. However, in-person presentations have more of
an impact especially if test kits are readily available at the presentation.
Legislative
action such as the IL and MN Radon Awareness Act has been effective with
increased results in the number of home buyers testing and mitigation at the
point of sale. In Illinois testing at
the point of sale has increased from 8% to 55% since the enactment of the IL
Radon Awareness Act which came about as a result of the death of Joseph
Linnertz who passed with lung cancer on February 8, 2006, while living in an
environment with elevated levels of radon.
The number of MN families taking action to reduce levels of
cancer-causing radon gas in their homes has more than double since MN
duplicated the IL law in 2014. The laws
are a combination of notification and disclosure about the danger of
radioactive radon gas in the home, and people are heeding the warning by
testing when purchasing a home.
The
last but certainly not an insignificant factor in the determination of
individuals to test their home radon is when the diagnosis of lung cancer comes
into their lives. When one is told, “you
have lung cancer,” numbness occurs and disbelief is present as the thought, “How
this could be?” enters the mind. After
the initial shock of the diagnosis, the patient seeks treatment or advice on
what path to follow. Somehow the patient
or surviving relative is informed about radon being a known cause of lung
cancer. Without hesitation, the
diagnosis of lung cancer is the greatest instigator to radon testing and
mitigation if the level is elevated even slightly. Unfortunately for thousands of people, the
information comes too late.
Whatever
the influencer is, our citizens need to be educated and informed so preventive
measures and action for a healthy home, school, and workplace can be
provided. As the saying goes, “An ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
In this case a simple test and preventive action could save a life.