Jackie Nixon's Lung Cancer Story
- Jan 5, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
“The Note That Saved My Life”A Lung Cancer Survivor's Story and Advocacy Journey
In July 2015, I went to the doctor for something completely unrelated to cancer — I had shingles. At the time, I hadn’t been to a doctor in about 18 months, mostly because I felt great. I was in excellent health: never had the flu, never broke a bone, and my blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar were all perfect. I stayed active and never smoked. Life was good.
During the visit, after prescribing treatment for the shingles, my doctor asked if I had any other complaints — part of the routine Medicare health maintenance checkup. At first, I said no, but then I paused and added, “Well… there is one thing. I sing, and lately I’m unable to hold notes as long as I use to. I can still hit the notes, but I need to take shorter breaths when I’m doing vocal runs. It’s probably nothing — I’ve been sitting a lot this year working at the computer. I probably just need to exercise my diaphragm more.”
Singing has always been a huge part of my life. I found my voice at eight years old and have been in choirs ever since. It’s more than a hobby — it’s my passion and my joy.
My doctor listened to my chest, then asked if I’d had any chest pain or cough. I said no. Honestly, we were both about to brush it off. She even had her hand on the doorknob, ready to leave the room. Then she paused and said, “Since you’re here for a wellness check and Medicare covers a chest X-ray, let’s just do it.”
That casual suggestion changed everything.
The Unexpected Discovery: A Lung Cancer Diagnosis
After my X-ray, I got the call. The chest X-ray showed a mass about one inch in diameter on the outside of my upper-left lung. I was completely stunned. I had no symptoms that would typically raise concern. I went in for a biopsy, and it confirmed: I had adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell lung cancer.
I was in shock. I didn’t smoke, I was healthy, and I had no risk factors — or so I thought.
My doctor reminded me, “If you hadn’t come in for the shingles... if you hadn’t mentioned your voice... if I hadn’t ordered that X-ray… we probably wouldn’t have caught this for another year or more.” That realization hit me hard. We had almost missed it.
Treatment and Recovery
One month later, I had surgery to remove the upper left lobe of my lung. The surgery went smoothly. I was out of the hospital in three days. That same day, I sang a note — just to see if I still could. It wasn’t perfect, but it did. It was the beginning of healing.
My doctors were confident: the cancer hadn’t spread. I didn’t need chemotherapy, radiation, or further medication. Just daily walking and close monitoring. I was — and still am — 100% cancer-free.
Life After Lung Cancer: Finding Purpose
Two months after surgery, I was back in the church choir. Singing again helped me rebuild my lung strength and brought me emotional healing. Seven months post-surgery, I was back to my normal life. But one question lingered: how did I get lung cancer?
A chance conversation with a home inspector gave me the answer. When I told him I had lung cancer but had never smoked, he asked, “Have you tested your home for radon?”
I hadn’t. I didn’t even know what radon was.
I did some research and was shocked to learn that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and the leading cause among never-smokers. I had lived in the same building in Pennsylvania for over 30 years — in an area built on top of old coal mines. I had my home tested. The radon levels were higher than the recommended EPA guideline.
That was my answer.
Becoming an Advocate
After this discovery, I knew I couldn’t keep this information to myself. Too many people — especially never-smokers — have no idea that they could be at risk from the air in their own homes.
I became a Radon Awareness Advocate and joined Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction (CR3). I combined my passion for storytelling and outreach by creating CR3 News Magazine, a publication dedicated to raising awareness about radon gas and its link to lung cancer.
Now, I speak with communities, lead educational workshops, and share my story to help others understand how early detection — and a simple radon test — can save lives.
My Advice to You
Get Screened: Even if you’re healthy, ask your doctor about lung cancer screening — especially if you're over 50 or have any risk factors, including long-term radon exposure.
Trust Your Body: That small change in my voice was my only symptom. Listen to the signals your body gives you, no matter how subtle.
Test for Radon: If you haven’t tested your home, do it. It’s easy, affordable, and could save your life.
Don't Wait: If something feels off, get it checked. Early detection is what gave me a second chance.
Closing Thoughts
I’m living proof that lung cancer isn’t always about smoking. It’s about awareness. It’s about asking one more question. It’s about following one small symptom. I was lucky — I caught it early, had surgery, and went on to reclaim my voice and my purpose.
Now, I use that voice to help others. If I can help just one person avoid what I went through — or get diagnosed in time — then I know this journey wasn’t in vain.
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