A woman's unique path to a lung cancer diagnosis
During pre-operative testing for breast cancer surgery, a patient was also diagnosed with lung cancer.
Peggy Schooling was the very definition of healthy living. For as long as she could remember, the Lancaster County woman made conscious choices to prioritize her health, fueling her body with a predominantly plant-based diet, staying active with regular exercise, and steering clear of harmful habits like smoking.
The last thing Schooling expected to face was cancer. But in 2017, her life took a sudden turn.
A routine test led to life-changing revelations
It started with a routine mammogram—a regular early detection screening that Schooling faithfully scheduled. The results came back with a diagnosis of stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer, a condition that typically doesn’t spread outside the milk ducts. Because it was caught early, her outlook for the future was bright.
What came next stopped Schooling in her tracks.
As part of her pre-surgical testing, she underwent a chest X-ray and a breast MRI. That’s when doctors discovered a mass on her lung. A subsequent biopsy confirmed what no one could have predicted: stage 1B lung cancer. The tumor measured three-to-four centimeters in size.
“I was completely shocked,” Schooling recalled, her voice still tinged with disbelief years later. “I had no symptoms, I never smoked, and I didn’t spend time around smokers. There’s no history of lung cancer in my family. It just didn’t make sense.”
While it's true that smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, about 10 to 15 percent of cases occur in people who have never smoked. Environmental factors, such as radon exposure, secondhand smoke, and other pollutants, are known to increase the risk of developing the disease. However, like many lung cancer patients, Schooling's doctors could not pinpoint a specific cause for her illness.
A strong network of care
Facing two cancers at once could have been overwhelming, but Schooling wasn’t alone. From the moment of her diagnosis, she was supported every step of the way by a dedicated team at Penn Medicine's Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute in Lancaster, PA. A breast cancer and lung cancer nurse navigator provided the critical guidance she needed to work through the complexities of her diagnosis. Whether it was understanding her treatment options or managing her care, the nurse navigator was there to ensure Schooling's questions were always addressed.
She was also grateful for the comprehensive services offered, including the Cancer Institute Boutique, financial counseling, chaplaincy services, and holistic therapies. All helped provide not only physical care, but emotional and spiritual support during her cancer journey.
“The Cancer Institute was amazing,” Schooling said. “All of the communication was very integrated, which is just what patients need.”
Lung cancer surgery and recovery
Schooling's lung cancer surgery was scheduled between two breast cancer surgeries. At Lancaster General Hospital, surgeons removed the lower left lobe of her lung, containing a 3.1 cm tumor. Remarkably, Schooling was home within just four days, ready to begin the road to recovery.
Although the recovery process wasn’t easy, Schooling approached it with the same determination that had always defined her life. She immediately started yoga and followed her post-operative exercises to increase her lung capacity. As an avid runner and cyclist, she was used to setting goals, but this one was quite different: to walk to her mailbox.
In typical fashion, she didn’t stop there. Instead of simply stopping at the mailbox, Schooling pushed herself to walk a mile-and-a-half. Within a week, she had worked her way up to five miles.
“My goal wasn’t just to walk to the mailbox. I wanted to show myself and others that no matter what life throws at you, you can still keep moving forward,” Schooling shared.
Determined to keep up with her professional commitments, she even insisted that her husband drive her to a leadership class she was teaching at Immaculata University in Chester County.
“I just wanted to show my students that no matter how hard things seem, they can do it,” she said, exemplifying her role as both a teacher and a role model.
Her disciplined approach to recovery paid off. Within six weeks, she was biking 30 miles again, pushing the boundaries of what anyone might have expected from someone recovering from lung cancer surgery.
Embracing the next chapter
Two years after her surgery, Schooling was thriving. Not only was she in remission from breast and lung cancer, she had decided to delay her retirement and pursue a new professional opportunity. She continued to stay as active as ever, grateful for the unwavering support of her family, friends, and the team at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute.
“My lung capacity is now 98 percent," Schooling smiled, reflecting on her journey. “Doctors tell me they have to look hard to even see that a lobe is missing.”
Schooling continues to live life fully, having regular follow-ups to monitor her health. As she embraces the future, her story is a powerful testament to resilience, the strength of a supportive community, and the unwavering belief that no matter the obstacles, there is always a path forward.
Her journey also serves as a reminder that while maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a vital part of cancer prevention, the unexpected can still happen. Schooling continues to inspire others on the importance of early detection.