Nov 4, 2009 4:00 pm US/Eastern
Health Alert: More Women Get Lung Cancer
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A scary trend is growing: More and more young women are being diagnosed with lung cancer. This weekend, there's a walk aiming to reverse that trend.
The walk this Saturday at Cooper River Park is in memory of a young mother who died from lung cancer and never smoked. Doctors think this growing trend could be related to estrogen or something in the environment.
Warriors on the front lines of the battle against lung cancer are getting baskets and prizes ready for Saturday's Lung Cancer Walk in memory of Heather Saler.
"We're doing it for her, but also for all the other people that are affected with this disease and their families," said Heather's husband, Brad Saler.
Heather was diagnosed with lung cancer when she was just 33. We first met her with her young son in 2006, right after Dana Reeve died from lung cancer. Both were young mothers who never smoked. They're part of a growing trend.
"Kinda brings me back to reality because I've been feeling so good, and all of a sudden, it's like it's killing people every day," said Heather.
Before she died, Heather got involved with the Lungevity Foundation and started its first South Jersey walk. The fifth one is coming up.
"A lot of young women are getting lung cancer," said Karen Kauterman.
Kauterman was diagnosed with lung cancer when she was just 36. Her son was a year old. She had surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
"I thought about my son and husband and did what I had to do," said Kauterman, "and now I'm cancer free."
The Sixth Annual Heather Saler Walk for Lung Cancer is Saturday morning at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken.
RELATED LINK:
www.heatherswalk.com
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