Adventure enthusiast and outdoor sports lover, Jackie Head, is a testament to physical fitness and endurance. Known for her ice climbing escapades, free-diving adventures, and polar training activities, her lung capacity and leg strength have been the foundation of her active lifestyle. Remarkably, this 57-year-old athlete has climbed Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe, and ventured on Icelandic expeditions.
Ironically, it was her love for high-altitude climbing and a lack of apparent symptoms that made her lung cancer diagnosis an unexpected surprise. Despite her physical prowess, at the age of 56, Head underwent a complimentary screening for lung cancer as part of an early detection initiative by the UK’s National Health System. Assured of her healthy condition, she was shocked when the scan revealed two nodules in her right lung. Subsequent biopsy results confirmed the early stage, or stage 1a, lung cancer.
Head’s brush with lung cancer was, in fact, a twist of fate. She had initially planned to be away on an expedition across the Northern Patagonian ice cap when the screening was scheduled. However, the trip was cancelled, prompting Head to attend the screening, given her parents’ history with lung cancer.
Despite her fitness dedication, the diagnosis in January 2023 led to feelings of frustration and anger. However, with her typical grit and determination, she continued with her travel plans to an Arctic ice festival, scheduling her surgery upon return. In March, she underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to remove the cancerous lower lobe of her right lung.
Although her lung capacity has somewhat reduced post-surgery, Head continues to train, exemplifying her resilience and spirit. Equipped with her ‘superhuman’ lungs, as referred by a doctor, she feels optimistic about her recovery. Unfazed by the health scare, she already plans her next challenging adventure – the Snowman Trek in Bhutan.
Jackie Head’s story is not just about her personal battle with lung cancer but also serves as a strong advocacy for regular lung cancer screenings. She highlights the importance of early detection, especially given that lung cancer often remains symptomless in the early stages. Now cancer-free, Head intends to undergo screenings every six months and encourages others to consider frequent check-ups.
Head emphasizes, “We need a new face for lung cancer.” Her story is a call for regular body scans, a measure that could save many lives through early detection and treatment of the most deadly cancer type in the UK and the US.
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