Jaclyn Keely, age 29, is gearing up for the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, hosted by the New York Road Runners on Saturday.
Since finishing the 13.1-mile race last year, she has faced significant challenges, including a diagnosis of stage 1 mucus adenocarcinoma and the removal of the lower lobe of her left lung, leading to a tough recovery.
“I just want to cross the finish line with a smile,” she expressed.
Mucus adenocarcinoma is a rare cancer that primarily affects areas like the breast, colon, and lungs. This condition is characterized by DNA mutations that lead to abnormal cell growth and mucus-filled tumors.
Keely first realized something was wrong back in 2018 when her lungs collapsed unexpectedly while she was making breakfast. This condition is known as spontaneous pneumothorax, where air leaks into the space between the lungs and chest wall, sometimes without an identifiable cause.
After a visit to the emergency room, doctors identified a nodule on her lungs through scans. “Given my age, activity level, and the fact that I had never smoked, they didn’t think I needed to worry,” Keely recalled.
Over the years, the nodule remained undisturbed until last fall. “My pulmonary surgeon suggested a biopsy just out of curiosity, and it turned out to be cancer. I didn’t even have symptoms, which is pretty scary,” she noted.
Previously, Keely had experienced chest pain and shortness of breath without a clear explanation, but she didn’t let those experiences deter her. She began running in November 2023, almost a year before her diagnosis. “It might sound odd, but one day I just decided I wanted to run a marathon,” she explained.
Running does increase the body’s oxygen demand, making shortness of breath a common issue, so she deliberately listened to her body and took her time. She followed a guidance program from New York Road Runners, aiming to secure her spot in the future TCS New York City Marathon.
However, the cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery forced her to recalibrate her approach. “I felt like I was in a new body, and I had to learn my limits. It was really challenging,” Keely said.
She started running again just two to three weeks after her procedure, with her initial run being a mere 0.2 miles. Gradually, she integrated longer runs after focusing on building her lung capacity through walks.
“I managed to get to where I could run a full 10k,” she shared, reflecting on her journey back to fitness.
Although the removed lobe won’t regenerate, she’s not overly concerned since her lung capacity is nearly back to normal. She also undergoes scans every three months to catch any signs of cancer early.
Keely hopes her participation in Saturday’s race will inspire others to get necessary medical screenings, especially since some cancers are increasingly common in those under 50. Early scans can detect lung cancer at a stage when treatment is most effective. Around 10% to 20% of lung cancer patients, like Keely, have never smoked.
“Anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer,” she noted. “I never thought this would happen to me, especially at such a young age.”
