Veteran’s triumph over lung cancer through early detection

A Veteran is cancer free thanks to early detection.

Kenneth David Chandler began his service in 1968 and served in Battery A, 26th Field Artillery, in Germany. He turned to VA care after retirement.

During a routine physical at the Cape Girardeau VA Health Care Center, it was determined that Chandler met the eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening. Until then, Chandler wasn’t familiar with the process and was surprised at how simple and straightforward it was.

“Lung cancer screening is an easy process, quick and painless. You lay down on the table, they run you through and take the pictures,” Chandler shared. Thanks to his screening, his doctor identified a small cancerous growth on his left lung.

Soon after receiving his cancer diagnosis, Chandler’s doctor moved quickly. “I felt strongly we needed to take an aggressive approach to his care,” said Dr. Andrea Covey, pulmonary physician at Kansas City VA.

Three months after receiving treatment, Chandler was cancer-free. “Just four radiation treatments was all it took. I never felt sick and barely even noticed the treatment happening. I’m incredibly grateful to VA for making this possible. They made sure I received the best care,” he said.

Chandler remains closely monitored through VA’s survivorship program, receiving a CT scan every six months to monitor his progress. His cancer journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection.

Raising awareness for lung cancer screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death among Veterans. Screening can be lifesaving because lung cancer is most treatable when caught early. As of October 2024, VA has offered lung cancer screening to more than 278,000 eligible Veterans across 121 screening centers, a 305% increase since December 2021.

VA is dedicated to providing systematic, integrated and equitable access to high-quality lung cancer screening processes for Veterans like Chandler.

If you are a Veteran between 50-80 years old and smoke or have smoked in the past, it’s not too late to contact your local VA health care provider to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.

To see Chandler’s full story, visit: Kansas City VA Medical Center on Vimeo.