Kelowna oncologist diagnosed with lung cancer encourages radon testing in homes

After a routine health exam, a Kelowna oncologist at BC Cancer was diagnosed with stage one lung cancer in March 2020.

Dr. Kong Khoo quickly discovered that the culprit was long-term exposure to high radon levels in his home.

“The irony of the situation isn’t lost on me,” says Dr. Khoo, who sees first-hand the effects of lung cancer on his patients.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock, and it is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers.

According to Health Canada, radon gas exposure is linked to an estimated 16% of all lung cancer deaths in the country.

“Lung cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancers,” Dr. Khoo adds. “I should have tested and acted years ago to protect myself and my family.”

Following his diagnosis, Dr. Khoo tested his home of 25 years and found that the radon levels were significantly higher than Health Canada’s radon guideline level of 200 Bq/m3.

He then took steps to reduce the levels through a process called radon mitigation.

“Testing your home for radon is simple and affordable,” explains Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, an associate professor of health science at Simon Fraser University.

“If your home is above the guideline, it is really important to take that next step and lower the radon level.”

When it is released from the ground into the outdoor air, radon is diluted and is not a health concern.

In indoor environments, radon can often be found at higher levels, and with new construction being more airtight and many people taking measures to increase the air tightness of their homes, radon levels are continuing to increase.

Testing can be done using a do-it-yourself radon test kit or by hiring a professional certified by the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program.

Geological factors suggest that some areas in BC have naturally higher surface levels of radon, and many of these areas are in the Interior and Northern parts of the province.

Radon levels for communities in BC can be found here.

Dr. Khoo is grateful to have caught his cancer early and have it successfully removed with surgery.

“I wouldn’t wish this diagnosis on anyone,” Dr. Khoo says. “I urge every homeowner to protect their family’s health by checking for radon and taking any required mitigation measures.”

To prevent others from suffering and to save lives, Dr. Khoo is sharing his story and raising awareness about radon at the 2023 Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST) Radon Conference at 8:30 am on April 13 at the Victoria Conference Centre.

CARST is a non-profit organization with the mission of helping Canadians reduce their radon exposure and prevent lung cancer from radon.

“We are so pleased to have Dr. Khoo share his story and help raise awareness about radon,” says Pam Warkentin, the executive director of CARST.

“With more than 3,000 people dying needlessly each year from lung cancer in Canada, we need to make significantly more progress in getting the word out.”