Judy Foreman: One Scan, One Shock, One Mission for Santa Barbara Native Shira Kupperman Boehler
Noozhawk • • health
Key Points:
- Shira Kupperman Boehler, diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer at 43 despite no symptoms or risk factors, shared her journey of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery at a bat mitzvah celebration in Santa Barbara.
- Her diagnosis came after a preventative full-body MRI and follow-up CT lung scan, which led to immediate surgery and inspired her mission to raise lung cancer awareness.
- Shira authored "One Scan Saved My Life," advocating for early detection and broader lung cancer screening, emphasizing that lung cancer affects many non-smokers, particularly women.
- Through her foundation, Cancer Doesn’t Care, she works to expand access to low-dose CT scans and influence public policy to improve lung cancer screening guidelines.
- Her efforts highlight the importance of early detection, as survival rates for Stage 1 lung cancer exceed 90%, contrasting with less than 10% for late-stage diagnoses, urging public attention and action.
