07 Jan Radon Awareness Month: Protect Your Lungs with Testing and Screening
January is Radon Awareness Month, an important reminder about a hidden health risk: radon. This colorless, odorless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Even if you’ve never smoked, long-term exposure to radon in your home can increase your risk.
At Primary Care Associates of Appleton, we emphasize both prevention and early detection, including CT lung cancer screening for those at higher risk
What Is Radon and Why It Matters
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes through:
- Cracks in foundations or basement floors
- Crawl spaces
- Gaps around pipes or well water sources
Because radon is undetectable without testing, the only way to know your risk is through a radon test. Long-term exposure can damage lung tissue and increase lung cancer risk.
Wisconsin is considered a high-radon state, making testing especially important for homes in the Fox Valley and surrounding areas.
Who Should Be Concerned About Radon
Everyone is potentially at risk, but particular attention should be paid if you:
- Smoke or have a history of smoking
- Live in a home with elevated radon levels
- Spend long periods in basements or ground-level living spaces
The combination of smoking and radon exposure further increases lung cancer risk, highlighting the importance of awareness and preventive action.
How to Test for Radon
Testing is simple, affordable, and critical for prevention. Recommendations include:
- Testing all homes, regardless of age or location
- Retesting after renovations or changes to heating/ventilation
- Acting if levels reach 4 pCi/L or higher
If elevated radon levels are detected, professional mitigation systems can reduce exposure and protect your health.
CT Lung Cancer Screening: When It’s Recommended
For individuals at higher risk, low-dose CT lung cancer screening detects cancer early, often before symptoms appear.
1 As of February 2022, the USPSTF (United States Preventive Services Task Force) recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography in adults aged 50 to 80 years* who have a 20 pack-year2 smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. *(Medicare CMS has only adopted the age range of 50-77 years, and thus, these are the guidelines PCA will follow.)
Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or willingness to have curative lung surgery.
Radon exposure increases your risk further, making discussion with your primary care provider essential.
CT Lung Cancer Screening at Primary Care Associates of Appleton
At Primary Care Associates of Appleton, we provide state-of-the-art CT imaging and personalized guidance for lung cancer screening. Our services include:
- Assessment of eligibility for low-dose CT screening
- Education on screening benefits and risks
- Coordination of follow-up care when necessary
Learn more about our CT imaging services here.
Take Action This Radon Awareness Month
Protect your lungs and your family’s health:
- Test your home for radon.
- Address elevated levels promptly.
- Talk with your provider about CT lung cancer screening if you are at higher risk.
Schedule an appointment at Primary Care Associates of Appleton to discuss radon exposure, lung cancer risk, and CT lung cancer screening options in Appleton, WI.
Early detection matters—and your health can’t wait.