High-Risk Lung Patient Catches Cancer Before Symptoms: Meet Renee Hall
When TriHealth patient Renee Hall went in for what she thought was a routine wellness check with her primary care doctor, she didn’t expect it to change her life forever.
Her physician suggested a free lung scan, given her history as a longtime smoker. Renee agreed, not thinking much of it. But when the results came back positive, she knew something had to change.
Unlike many illnesses, lung cancer often doesn’t show symptoms until it’s advanced. Renee had felt fine—she could walk, run, and keep up with her daily life. But the scan revealed otherwise.
Renee was quickly connected with TriHealth specialists, Dr. Doug Adams and Dr. Andrew Parchman. Together, they reviewed her case and developed a surgical plan tailored to her needs.
“They sat around the table just for me,” Renee said. “They told me, ‘We think this will work.’ And I said, Let’s do it.”
The surgery was a success. When she woke up, her surgeon told her the words she never thought she’d hear: “You’re cancer free.”
Doctors removed the affected lobe of her lung, and Renee didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation afterward. She was able to breathe, run, and live her life again.
“I was very fortunate,” she said. “I owe it to TriHealth that my life was saved.”
Dr. Parchman explained how far cancer treatment has come: “Years ago, we didn’t have many options. Today, our toolbox is overflowing with tools.”
Now, Renee returns every six months for CT scans. Each time, she sits anxiously in the office until her doctor brings up the images and reassures her: “No change—you’re fine.”
December 31st will mark five years since Renee quit smoking after decades of use. “I was 14 when I started, and I’m 68 now. Five years free,” she said proudly.
She encourages other smokers to get screened: “Even if they had to pay for it, I would have it done. It picks things up so fast.”
Renee credits her TriHealth care team not only for their medical expertise but also for their compassion through her entire experience.
“You trust the team, and I’m here today because of that trust,” she said.
Learn more about Lung Cancer Care with TriHealth today.