Breaking: Christopher Reeve's Wife Has Lung Cancer

Tuscaloosa News ^ | 8-9-05

[WestCoastGal]

diagnosed with lung cancer, and am currently undergoing treatment," Reeve said in a statement. "I have an excellent team of physicians, and we are optimistic about my prognosis."

"Now, more than ever, I feel Chris with me as I face this challenge," Reeve said. "As always, I look to him as the ultimate example of defying the odds with strength, courage and hope in the face of life's adversities."

Christopher Reeve, the onetime Hollywood "Superman" turned activist for spinal cord research after a horse-riding accident, died Oct. 10, 2004.

Dana Reeve, an actress, was a constant companion and supporter of her husband during his long ordeal and his work for a cure for spinal cord injuries.

She is chairwoman of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, which funds research on paralysis and works to improve the life of the disabled. To date, it has awarded $55 million in research grants and $7.5 million in quality of life grants.

She was performing in the Broadway-bound play "Brooklyn Boy" in California when she had to streak home to reach her husband's bedside before he died. She gave up the role for the New York run.

Their son, Will, is 13 years old.

[WestCoastGal]

Fox noted that she has never smoked.

[areafiftyone]

I wish her well and prayers for a full recovery. I wonder how she got lung cancer when she didn't smoke? Second hand smoke maybe?

[Red Badger]

Some families seem to get more than their fair share of tragedy. Theirs seem to be one of them.........

[softwarecreator]

Or maybe it just developed, like other cancers do.  Smoking is nt the ONLY cause of lung cancer.

[softwarecreator]

Or maybe it just developed, like other cancers do.  Smoking is not the ONLY cause of lung cancer.

[Red Badger]

The Comedian, Andy Kaufman, died of a rare form of lung cancer and he didn't smoke.....

[Peach]

How horrible. That family has had more than its share of tragedy.

[RAY]

Cancer, respecters no one, it seems to teat the good and bad equally!

[gopwinsin04]

[Muzzle_em]

There was a thread here a few days ago about the rise of lung cancer among women who have never smoked. I think it has a lot to do with the air quality (or lack of) in larger cities.

[Muzzle_em]

this is just too sad.

[areafiftyone]

That is true. She probably had the gene and something triggered it. That's all it takes sometimes.

[WestCoastGal]

Yes, I was just speaking with a Dr yesterday about Peter Jennings death. There seems to be a rise in lung cancer deaths. Most are smokers, but not all. I wonder if older people were exposed to things like asbestos in schools and other buildings?

My friends husband died from this horrible disease. He went to UCLA, they tried everything but 4 months seems to be the time limit where the disease kills you.

[Brytani]

My Great-grandfather never smoked yet died of lung cancer. My Great-Grandmother (other side of the family) smoked most of her life and died at the ripe old age of 97 in her sleep, natural causes. Not a drop of cancer in her body.

Let's hope and send prayers out that Dana Reeves recovers from this horrible disease. Their poor children, first dealing with their fathers accident, death and now their mother have the literal fight of her life.

[Fawn]

Wow---air quality has that much of an impact on our lungs?

[Puppage]

I wonder how she got lung cancer when she didn't smoke?

You don't need to have smoked to get lung cancer. Some people are just predisposed to it.

[Lee'sGhost]

FWIW from ACS: Overview: Lung Cancer What Causes Lung Cancer? A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age or family history, can't be changed. Several factors can increase the risk of lung cancer. Smoking is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer. Tobacco smoke causes more than 8 out of 10 cases of lung cancer. The longer a person has been smoking and the more packs per day smoked, the greater the risk. If a person stops smoking before lung cancer develops, the lung tissue slowly returns to normal. Stopping smoking at any age lowers the risk of lung cancer. Cigar and pipe smoking are almost as likely to cause lung cancer as is cigarette smoking. There is no evidence that smoking low tar cigarettes reduces the risk of lung cancer. People who don�t smoke but who breathe the smoke of others also have a higher risk of lung cancer. Non-smoking spouses of smokers, for example, have a 30% greater risk of developing lung cancer than do spouses of nonsmokers. Workers exposed to tobacco smoke in the workplace are also more likely to get lung cancer. Hookah smoking has become popular among young people. Although there is less tobacco in the product used for hookahs, it is still dangerous and addictive. The ACS believes that people should avoid any amount of tobacco. Asbestos is another risk factor for lung cancer. People who work with asbestos have a higher risk of getting lung cancer. If they smoke as well, the risk is greatly increased. Although asbestos was used for many years, the government has now nearly stopped its use in the workplace and in home products. While it is still present in many buildings, it is not thought to be harmful as long as it is not released into the air. Another type of cancer linked to asbestos (mesothelioma) can start in the lining of the lung. The American Cancer Society has information about this type of cancer through our toll-free number or on our Web site. Radon is a radioactive gas made by the natural breakdown of uranium, which is found at higher than normal levels in the soil in some parts of the US. Radon can�t be seen, tasted, or smelled. Radon can become concentrated indoors and create a possible risk for cancer. Smokers are especially sensitive to the effects of radon. State and local offices of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) can provide information about how to test for radon in the home. High radon levels in some mines can increase the lung cancer risk for miners. Cancer-causing agents in the workplace include the following: * uranium * arsenic * vinyl * chloride * nickel chromates * coal products * mustard gas * chloromethyl ethers * gasoline * diesel exhaust People who work with these substances should be very careful to avoid exposure as much as possible. Marijuana cigarettes have more tar than regular cigarettes. Many of the cancer-causing substances in tobacco are also found in marijuana. Marijuana is also inhaled very deeply and the smoke is held in the lungs for a long time. Medical reports suggest that marijuana could cause cancers of the mouth and throat. But because marijuana is an illegal substance it is not easy to gather information about its effects on the body. Radiation treatment to the lung: People who have had radiation to the chest to treat cancer are at higher risk for lung cancer, especially if they smoke. Other diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and some types of pneumonia often leave scars on the lung. This scarring can increase the risk of developing lung cancer.People with diseases from breathing in certain minerals also have a higher risk of lung cancer. Personal and family history: If you have had lung cancer, you have a higher risk of getting another lung cancer. Brothers, sisters, and children of people who have had lung cancer may have a slightly higher risk themselves. Diet: Some reports suggest that a diet low in fruits and vegetables might increase the risk of lung cancer in people who are exposed to tobacco smoke. It may turn out that fruits and vegetables help protect against lung cancer. Air pollution: In some cities, air pollution may slightly increase the risk of lung cancer. But the risk is still far less than that caused by smoking. During the past few years, scientists have made great progress in understanding how risk factors produce certain changes in the DNA of lung cells, causing the cells to become cancerous. DNA is the genetic material that carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do. Current research in this field is aimed at developing tests that can find lung cancers at an early stage by spotting DNA changes. But these tests are not yet ready for routine use. Therefore, doctors stress avoiding tobacco smoke and the other risk factors listed above. Revised: 01/01/2005

[Puppage]

She probably had the gene

That could very well be, although they have not isolated the lung cancer gene(s) as they have with breast cancer.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

Confusing good health with morality is bad medicine.

The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike.

Stay humble.

Tomorrow, your physician may hand you your terminal bad news.

[WestCoastGal]

"Let's hope and send prayers out that Dana Reeves recovers from this horrible disease. Their poor children, first dealing with their fathers accident, death and now their mother have the literal fight of her life."

I second that and send prayers for Dana and her family.