Actor Tony Goldwyn shares how his mother’s cancer diagnosis inspired his advocacy for early detection and proactive lung health care.
Given your personal experience, what message would you like to share with the public about the importance of early detection in lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses?
Simply put, early detection is the difference between life and death. It is not an overstatement to say that, essentially, we do have a cure for cancer. It’s called early detection. If you get scanned and are given an early diagnosis of lung cancer, the treatments are incredibly effective. Caught too late, the same diagnosis is a death sentence. Sadly, when my mother got lung cancer, she waited too long to get checked, and 30 years ago, early detection and treatment were light-years away from where we are now.
Many people are unaware of the risk factors for lung cancer. What do you want more people to know about prevention and early signs?
Early detection is easy, painless, and relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, the scans are often not covered by insurance. But for a few hundred dollars, it might just be worth it!
What role do you think public figures and advocates can play in raising awareness about lung cancer and lung health in general?
We are storytellers, and stories bring people into one another’s experience.
Many Americans take their breathing for granted until it’s challenged. What would you say to someone who hasn’t thought much about lung health before?
Remember the cliché, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Make that “a thousand pounds of cure.” It can happen to you. Look at the statistics on cancer. Just think of the financial and emotional burden you will be lifting off yourself and your family by preventing a health catastrophe.
As an actor, your voice and breath are essential tools. How has that influenced your understanding and appreciation of healthy lungs?
Breath is the essential tool of an actor. It connects us to our emotions, and it is how we make sound. Healthy lungs are a career requirement.
What’s one preventative habit or tip you’d like to share with our readers that they can use to support their lung health?
Regular exercise is the key for me. Not only will your cardiovascular system be stronger, but you will notice any irregularities in your lungs much more quickly than someone who doesn’t exercise.
