Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
Chauntelle Fjeldsted moved back to Utah in 2020 and never expected that the move would lead to a non-smoking lung cancer diagnosis in just a few years.
A "miracle" diagnosis
Chauntelle has a family history of high cholesterol and has always been proactive about her health. After her father had a heart attack and received five bypasses, she urged her new primary care provider to scan her heart for calcium as an extra precaution.
Her provider thought the request was odd, but after persistence from Chauntelle, she eventually got the scan. Her results didn't show calcium buildup—but did show a tumor on her lung.
Chauntelle's reaction was disbelief. "I was in total shock! My husband and family were in total shock! How could this be? I have never smoked nor been near secondhand smoke. I exercise every day and live a very healthy lifestyle. I would never put anything harmful in my body on purpose. It really made no sense at all."
Chauntelle describes her diagnosis as a miracle, and she was lucky her non-smoking lung cancer hadn't progressed past stage one by the time she was diagnosed. She was able to avoid chemotherapy and received a lungectomy, which has put her into remission.
"If I hadn't insisted on getting that scan, I know I would've ended up with advanced lung cancer and a pretty dismal outlook," shared Chauntelle.
Radon in Utah homes
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Chauntelle's lung cancer diagnosis was likely the result of exposure to high levels of radon in her home.
Chauntelle and her husband Matt installed a radon mitigation system in their home in New Jersey before moving to Minnesota.
However, Utah is one of the states that doesn't require a mandated radon test upon inspection of buying or selling a home, and it was easy to put it off while completing construction on the basement of their home.
After testing their home, they learned they had radon levels that were above the EPA's recommended mitigation level.
I wish every Utah homeowner could somehow get the message they need to get their homes tested for radon.
–Chauntelle Fjeldsted
There are an estimated 21,000 radon-induced lung cancer deaths every year in the United States, and Utah has more than its fair share of non-smoking lung cancer patients.
According to Dr. Shamus Carr at the University of Utah, 20-30% of lung cancer cases in Utah are not related to smoking—which is 2-3 times the national average.
Sadly, due to the insidious nature of lung cancer and the symptom overlap between allergies, colds, and other non-life-threatening conditions, many people are not diagnosed until they are in stage three or four.
What you can do about radon
Radon exposure can alter your life, but it doesn't have to. All Utahns can request one free radon test from UtahRadon.org. If your home tests high for radon, a mitigation system can be installed to lower your exposure.
"I wish every Utah homeowner could somehow get the message they need to get their homes tested for radon," pleads Chauntelle. "I believe we need much more awareness in this state. And it's so easy to test for radon. The kit is even free! And it could save your life!"
