Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, contributing to an estimated 21,000 deaths each year. In Kentucky, where 93% of counties are classified as moderate to high risk for radon exposure, testing rates remain low, and access to free test kits has declined following the end of the state’s Radon Program.
Health officials say the threat is intensified by the combination of radon exposure and historically high smoking rates across the state. Limited access to affordable radon mitigation services and the lack of mandatory radon-resistant building requirements in new construction further ones increase risk.
During Radon Awareness Month, the Mercy Health—Paducah Cancer Center is raising awareness and encouraging preventive action. In partnership with the Kentucky Cancer Consortium, the Cancer Center is sharing information on radon’s health impacts, testing recommendations, and mitigation options, while urging residents to test their homes using EPA-approved kits available for purchase locally and online.
“Radon is an invisible danger, and testing is the only way to know if it’s present,” said John Montville, executive director of the oncology service line at Mercy Health—Paducah. “When combined with smoking, radon significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, but it’s a risk we can reduce through awareness, testing, and early detection.”
Officials with the Paducah Cancer Center say the radon initiative reflects a broader effort to improve cancer outcomes across the region by addressing environmental exposures, supporting healthy behavior changes such as smoking cessation, and expanding access to cancer screenings for early detection.
Residents are encouraged to test their homes for radon and seek professional mitigation if levels exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Individuals with a history of smoking, or those living in radon-prone areas, should also talk with their health care provider about lung cancer screening, which can detect cancer earlier when treatment is more effective.