Introduction to Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
Deep breath! Jaclyn Keely, 29, is preparing to run the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon hosted by the New York Road Runners on Saturday. Since completing the 13.1-mile race last year, Keely was diagnosed with Stage 1 mucinous adenocarcinoma, had the lower lobe of her left lung removed and endured an excruciating recovery. “I just want to cross the finish line with a smile,” the Brooklynite told The Post.
Understanding Mucinous Adenocarcinoma
Jaclyn Keely was diagnosed with Stage 1 mucinous adenocarcinoma and had the lower lobe of her left lung removed last fall. She is running the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon on Saturday. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Mucinous adenocarcinoma is a rare type of cancer that can develop in any organ, especially the breast, colon, rectum and lung. DNA mutations cause abnormal cell growth, resulting in a tumor surrounded by lots of mucus.
Initial Symptoms and Diagnosis
Keely learned that something was amiss when her lung collapsed in 2018 as she made breakfast. The episode is known as a spontaneous pneumothorax — air accumulates in the space between the lung and chest wall, causing the lung to partially or fully collapse. It can arise from underlying lung conditions like COPD or occur for no apparent reason. Keely went to the emergency room, where doctors scanned her chest and noticed a nodule on her lung. “Because of my age and my activity level and that I was a ‘never smoker,’ they [said I] had no reason to be worried,” recalled Keely, an anesthesia technologist.
The Reality of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
About 10% to 20% of lung cancer patients, like Keely, have never smoked. She got rescanned over the years. The nodule remained undisturbed — until last fall. “My pulmonologist said, ‘I want to biopsy it, just out of curiosity to see what it is,’” Keely said. “And it did come back cancerous, so there really were no symptoms, which is what’s kind of scary.”
The Role of Running in Recovery
Keely had suffered lung collapses before the severe incident in 2018 and had long experienced chest pain and shortness of breath for reasons unknown. Despite those struggles, she started running in November 2023 — almost a year before her cancer diagnosis. “It sounds kind of funny, but I just woke up one morning and decided that I was going to run a marathon, and that was kind of it,” she said. Keely started running in November 2023 — almost a year before her cancer diagnosis. Her surgery slowed her progress, but she is determined to keep crossing finish lines. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Overcoming Challenges
Running increases the body’s demand for oxygen to fuel the working muscles, so shortness of breath is common. That’s why building up slowly and listening to her body were key. She followed online running guides and completed the New York Road Runners’ 9+1 program to earn entry into this year’s TCS New York City Marathon. But the cancer finding and subsequent lung surgery in October cramped her style. Keely ran the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon hosted by the New York Road Runners last year.
Recovery and Determination
“I felt like I was in a new body, and I needed to learn its limitations,” Keely explained. “And that was just very, very difficult for me to suddenly be limited, where before I had felt really, really strong and young and healthy.” She started running two or three weeks after the procedure. Her first jaunt was about 0.2 miles. She went on frequent walks to improve her lung capacity and eventually incorporated longer bursts of running. Keely encourages others to get recommended medical tests, especially as certain cancers become more common in people under 50. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Back on Track
“I got to the point where … I was able to run a full 10K,” Keely shared. “It kind of clicked then that I was … getting back to it.” The lower lobe Keely had removed won’t grow back, but she isn’t worried because her lung capacity is pretty much back to normal. She also gets scanned every three months to make sure the cancer hasn’t returned.
Conclusion
She hopes her journey to Saturday’s start line encourages others to get recommended medical tests and check-ups, especially as certain cancers become more common in people under 50. Scans can identify lung cancer at its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective. About 10% to 20% of lung cancer patients, like Keely, have never smoked. “Anybody with lungs can get lung cancer,” Keely said. “I never thought in a million years that this would happen to me … especially so young.”
FAQs
- What is mucinous adenocarcinoma?
Mucinous adenocarcinoma is a rare type of cancer that can develop in any organ, especially the breast, colon, rectum, and lung. - Can non-smokers get lung cancer?
Yes, about 10% to 20% of lung cancer patients have never smoked. - How can lung cancer be detected early?
Scans can identify lung cancer at its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective. - What is the role of running in recovery from lung cancer?
Running can help improve lung capacity and overall health, but it’s essential to listen to your body and build up slowly. - Why is it important to get recommended medical tests?
Getting recommended medical tests and check-ups can help detect cancers, like lung cancer, at an early stage when they are more treatable.
