Sherry Miller’s Journey: From Early Lung Cancer Detection to Advocacy

From climbing poles as a splicing technician for a phone company, to running a landscaping crew, being a beekeeper and owning a farm, Sherry Miller has packed an active and interesting life. Now 70 and residing in Dearborn, she considers herself retired from full-time work but remains deeply engaged in community service and her passions.

“I am on the advisory board for the Detroit Repertory Theatre and help with fundraising. I’ve also acted in a few plays and participated in a public service campaign for “Get out the Vote”. I am also part of a posse of older ladies that get food to families in need,” she notes.

Activities put on pause after life-saving screening

As a former smoker who witnessed her father succumb to lung cancer, Miller agreed to her primary care physician’s suggestion to visit the Henry Ford Lung Cancer Screening Clinic. “Since my father died of lung cancer I thought it would be a good idea to have any information as early as possible,” she says. “I would rather face a problem than fret about it.”

In October 2023, Miller underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan, considered the gold standard for early lung cancer detection. The scan revealed a small nodule indicative of lung cancer, which further testing confirmed.

“I was not necessarily surprised since I was a former smoker and my dad died of lung cancer,” stated Miller who had occasional coughing and asthma but no obvious symptoms.

Fortunately, because of the early screening, Miller was a candidate for a minimally invasive video-assisted lung cancer surgery to remove the cancer.

Ikenna Okereke, M.D., vice chairman of the Department of Surgery and system director of Thoracic Surgery at Henry Ford Health, highlights Miller’s case as a testament to the life-saving potential of early screening.

“Lung cancer screening saves lives, and Ms. Miller’s case is a perfect example,” noted Dr. Okereke. “With lung cancer screening we can treat cancers while they are curable and amenable to minimally invasive approaches. The entire lung cancer team at Henry Ford Health is dedicated to one goal: bettering the lives of our patients. It is humbling and an honor to be part of such a great group of people.”

A grateful recovery and renewed purpose

Although Miller describes the surgery and recovery as no picnic, she feels fortunate about her care and her outcome.

“I am so thankful to Dr. Okereke, who I was so impressed with not only because of his credentials and experience but his care and compassion.” Miller happily states that she is pretty much back to full activities after the surgery, although she is taking her time in recovery. She was able to attend a beekeeping conference four days after leaving the hospital and is back to taking acting classes, distributing food and gardening.

Her experience has fueled a new passion to promote lung cancer screening. “For appropriate candidates I am spreading the word to get screened. By the time symptoms show up from lung cancer, it is usually stage 3. In my case a small nodule was detected and removed before it had a chance to spread,” she emphasizes. “I watched my father die of lung cancer. The surgery was hard but dying of cancer is harder.”

For further information visit Henry Ford Lung Cancer Screening Clinic.