‘Saved by the scan’: Lung cancer survivor advocates for early detection, research funding

Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News
·4 min read

MONROE — A billboard saved Diane Wright’s life. She was driving on Route 2 East in Ohio when she read the sign, “If you have ever smoked, you could be eligible for a life-saving lung scan.”

The 70-year-old hadn’t had a cigarette in more than 12 years but had a history of smoking.

“I started smoking when I was 15 or 16,” Diane Wright said. “I smoked for more than 30 years. I smoked about a pack a day. Sometimes, a little less.”

Wright and her husband had been smokers and had quit at the same time. She saw the sign in August 2018.

After reading a "Saved by the Scan" billboard, Diane Wright of Monroe scheduled a lung cancer screening. She was later diagnosed with cancer.
After reading a "Saved by the Scan" billboard, Diane Wright of Monroe scheduled a lung cancer screening. She was later diagnosed with cancer.

“Keep in mind, when I saw the billboard, I did not have any symptoms,” she said. “I felt 100% healthy. In October, we went in for our annual physicals and I asked if we were eligible for the free scan.”

Three months later, the couple was scheduled for the test.

“Two days later, I received a phone call from Cleveland Clinic. They saw something suspicious on my lung,” she said. “I was floored. I expected them to call me and say everything was fine. I was told I had to do a follow up.”

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Christee Regalado, Wright’s daughter and a registered nurse at Beaumont Hospital in Trenton, suggested Wright have a physician where she works look at the scan and report.

“He recommended I repeat the scan in three months,” Wright said. “If there weren’t any changes, he would recommend another scan in six months. I was comfortable with his recommendations and agreed to the treatment plan.”

Wright said she felt 100% positive when she went back in three months they would rescan and there would be no change, but that did not happen. She was wrong. Her doctor wanted to do a biopsy.

Results came in the form of an email. Wright was notified there was a message in her medical chart.

“It’s good to have electronic charting where you have access to your records at all times,” she said. “You can log into your chart and see results. I did that. Unfortunately, I read the report before my doctor contacted me. The report was comprehensive but the only word I saw was 'malignant.' I knew I had lung cancer.”

She was in complete disbelief. She said she felt “healthy, happy, vibrant and energetic.”

On March 20, Diane Wright of Monroe, joined more than 40 others impacted by lung cancer and traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress during LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day.
On March 20, Diane Wright of Monroe, joined more than 40 others impacted by lung cancer and traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress during LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day.

The next step was to remove the cancer in the upper left lobe of her lung along with some surrounding lymph nodes. Surgery was scheduled for July 25, 2019.

“The surgery was successful and the lymph nodes were negative,” she said. “I was sent to an oncologist who looked at the reports and determined I was cancer free. He was extremely happy and said he doesn’t see many Stage 1 success stories.”

Because Wright was her own advocate, she never had to have chemotherapy or radiation. Her cancer was caught early. Now, she's fighting for others.

Wright goes to Washington

According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Advocating for lung cancer research, on March 20, Wright joined more than 40 others impacted by lung cancer and traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress during LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day.

LUNG FORCE brings together those impacted by lung cancer and their caregivers to stand together against the disease.

The group championed lawmakers to support $51.3 billion in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Diane Wright of Monroe stands outside Congressman Tim Walberg's office. On March 20, Wright traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for lung cancer research funding.
Diane Wright of Monroe stands outside Congressman Tim Walberg's office. On March 20, Wright traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for lung cancer research funding.

“I am living proof that early detection can save lives. More than anything, I am hoping that my story will inspire more individuals to take charge of their health and understand the importance of getting screened for lung cancer,” Wright said. “I am optimistic that through advocating for early screenings with LUNG FORCE, we can continue moving toward a future free from lung disease.”

The “Saved by the Scan” campaign started in 2017, offering a lung cancer screening test and an eligibility quiz. Screening is used to detect lung cancer. Research suggests when diagnosed at an early stage it is more likely to  be curable.

— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: ‘Saved by the scan’: Lung cancer survivor advocates for early detection, research funding