One Scan Saved My Life: How One Woman's Story Will Change the Way We Detect Lung Cancer

by Shira Kupperman Boehler

A powerful call to reform how we screen for the deadliest cancer, proving that early detection can save lives long before symptoms begin.

She was forty-four, the picture of health — a devoted mother of four, a daily runner, a kale enthusiast who never smoked a day in her life. But when she signed up for a routine health scan “just to be safe,” she discovered the fast-growing stage I lung cancer.

In her searing and hopeful memoir, Shira Kupperman Boehler tells the story of how one moment upended everything — and how it may have saved her life. As she navigates surgery, recovery, and the emotional aftershocks of a diagnosis that “shouldn’t” have happened, she uncovers a staggering by the time most lung cancers are found, it’s too late — not because we can’t detect them earlier, but because our health system doesn’t.

Part personal journey, part urgent call to action, One Scan Saved My Life shines a light on the silent epidemic affecting millions of Americans — including nonsmokers, women, and young adults — who are excluded from current screening guidelines. With clarity and conviction and backed by the input of medical and policy experts, Shira makes a powerful case for expanding early-detection policies and rethinking how we define “risk.”

A story of resilience and the power of speaking up, One Scan Saved My Life asks one simple question that could change What if prevention didn’t come too late?

Genres: Medicine, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative story of lung cancer and its impact on various populations, particularly women. This book really opened my eyes to the stigma that lung cancer patients face and how this may affect the preventive, curative, and therapeutic care they receive. The author was quite effective in demonstrating the importance of screening and early detection. Beyond her personal experience with lung cancer, this was a book that showcased the need for our country to prioritize preventive measures and reform screening guidelines to promote better lung cancer outcomes for more patients.

I didn't love the layout of the book as there was a lot of interruption of the narrative. I think the flow of the story would've been improved if it had been separated into more distinct sections--the personal story, lung cancer history, future recommendations, etc.--rather than having all of the topics interwoven with each other. However, I thought the author did a good job of balancing her tale as a lung cancer survivor with scientific background and information on how the reader can help generate progress in this area of medicine. This was a story of hope and finding meaning and purpose in hardship. It was a reminder that while we shouldn't let our most difficult experiences define us, we can use them to grow and champion change for the betterment of others.

Overall, I learned a tremendous amount about lung cancer from this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in this topic or patient advocacy. *I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

[Ginger Hudock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books gives excellent information about lung cancer and the importance of early screening. Although I have no history of lung cancer in my family, and don't have any risk factors, it was still useful information. I encourage medical professionals as well as anyone with an interest in learning more about cancer causes, prevention and treatment to read this book.

[Lily SS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, genuinely fun (a wild adjective for a cancer book) and, most importantly, an informative and deeply important read. Exactly the kind of book every person needs on their shelf.

Shira’s story is a powerful wake-up call: a healthy, energized young mom of four diagnosed with lung cancer who caught it early, reminding us that we can never take our health for granted. By the way, she never smoked a day in her life.

Since her diagnosis this past October, she hasn’t just shared her story to spread awareness, she’s been working tirelessly with doctors and policymakers to push for broader insurance coverage for lung cancer screenings. Today, lung cancer kills more women than ovarian, breast, and uterine cancers combined. Almost nobody knows that!!! And when it’s caught early, outcomes can change dramatically, exactly what Shira’s story proves.

One Scan Saved My Life strikes a perfect balance between personal memoir, medical insight, and the stories of others. Shira’s voice is funny, warm, and entirely her own, making even the hardest moments feel approachable. There’s just enough science to empower you (to help you ask better questions and advocate for yourself) without ever feeling overwhelmed.

Go read it!