Carole Vivier (CNW GROUP / TAKE ACTION ON RADON)
WINNIPEG — Four years after her lung cancer diagnosis, Carole Vivier is speaking out about the dangers of radon, a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Despite common misconceptions, Vivier believes her cancer likely isn’t linked to her casual smoking decades ago.
“More people die from lung cancer than breast, colorectal and prostate combined, yet lung cancer receives the least amount of research funding,” she says.
After discovering her own home’s radon levels were dangerously high, Vivier is urging Canadians to test their homes to protect their health and loved ones.
“That’s why campaigns such as this are vitally important.”
Radon, a natural but radioactive gas, tends to accumulate indoors, particularly in Canada’s increasingly air-tight homes.
“Radon exposure continues to be the leading risk factor for lung cancer in people who don’t smoke,” says Tricia Lewchuk of the Canadian Cancer Society. “Anything homeowners can do to reduce exposure to radon will help reduce the number of new lung cancer cases in Canada.”
In honour of Radon Action Month, the “Knowvember” campaign is launching to spread awareness, offering prizes for Canadians who get informed and share radon safety information within their communities. The campaign encourages Canadians to test their homes, with approved single-use kits available online, and urges homeowners to consult Health Canada’s guidelines for long-term testing to ensure accurate readings.
Canadians can learn more and enter the campaign contest at Knowvember.ca.
