Health Sciences Student Advocates for Lung Cancer Screenings

Health Sciences Student Advocates for Lung Cancer Screenings

For longtime smokers, lung cancer screenings are a powerful tool that can significantly reduce their chance of dying from lung cancer.

However, relatively few of those who are eligible for the test have it done. A recent report from the American Lung Cancer Association found fewer than one in five eligible Americans complete an annual screening.

"Most people screen themselves for breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer," said Saakshi Risam, a junior health sciences major at The University of Toledo. "Lung cancer has the lowest percentage of people being screened every year. A lot of people are eligible for lung cancer screening, but they don't know that. And lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death."

Risam is working to change that.

This summer, she launched a UToledo chapter of the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, a national, student-led nonprofit that's dedicated to increasing awareness about lung cancer screenings and helping eligible individuals access those services.

The chapter currently has about 20 active members, all of whom were recruited during the summer.

"It was amazing how quickly it all came together," said Andrea Petrie, program coordinator at UToledo's Pre-Health Advising Center and the chapter's academic advisor.

Risam first learned of the group the final week of her sophomore year. With Petrie's encouragement, over the summer she moved quickly to apply for a chapter and attend the group's national summit, which was hosted at Massachusetts General Hospital in partnership with Harvard Medical School.

"It was a cause that really touched her, and it was something she dove deep into and found a lot of passion in," Petrie said. "She's a very determined person, a wonderful student and a great speaker. She's a real leader."

Under current guidelines, annual lung cancer screenings are recommended for those who are between the ages of 50 and 80, currently smoke - or quit less than 15 years ago - and have averaged smoking at least a pack a day for 20 years or more.

For most, the screenings are free.

"I've always been a public health advocate. I was surprised when I learned that lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer-related death and I wanted to do something to make a difference," Risam said. "UToledo gave me the opportunity to start something on my own and help the community in general."

The group holds monthly meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the Pre-Health Advising Center in University Hall, with the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Risam, who is in the pre-physical therapy track and plans to pursue a doctor of physical therapy degree after earning her bachelor's, came to UToledo from India, drawn by the strength and breadth of the University's healthcare programs.

"I was excited to study at a place where the programs are good and it's known for research. This was a place that I thought could help me build my future," she said. "It's been great. It was my first time coming to a whole new different country and it felt like home here. The people are so kind and so grateful. I never felt like I was away from home - from housing, to getting a job, to my academic journey, the faculty has been so helpful."

In addition to founding the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative chapter, Risam also has been an ambassador in the Title IX Office for more than a year and recently began working in the Acute Physical Therapy Department at the University of Toledo Medical Center as a student technician after spending some time observing in the department.

Greg Hall, a UToledo Health physical therapist who works closely with Risam, said it's rewarding to see students who are passionate about physical therapy taking advantage of opportunities to learn.

"She's doing great. She's obviously motivated. You can tell that just by what she's accomplished," Hall said. "She's got all the smarts and all the academic success, but she's also very personable and easy to talk with. I think she'll build rapport with her patients very easily, and that is critical for a physical therapist. You have to be a bit of a people person to do this job well."

For Risam, being able to work in the clinic while completing her studies is just another example of why she's so happy to be a Rocket.

"The opportunities I've received here are truly unparalleled and I don't think I would have had the same experiences at any other university," Risam said. "Attending UToledo has been a transformative experience, allowing me to grow as an individual and pursue my aspirations with the invaluable guidance and support of the faculty. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, and along the way, I have formed meaningful friendships and connections that I know will last a lifetime."