Pix11 news anchor Kaity Tong, a prominent figure in television news since the 1980s, has recently shared her diagnosis of lung cancer on social media, despite being a lifelong nonsmoker. This revelation has come just days after Big Bang Theory star Kate Micucci disclosed her own battle with the disease.

Tong, 76 years old and an Emmy Award-winning news anchor, took to Instagram to candidly announce her stage-one lung cancer diagnosis. She urged her followers, especially those fitting the profile of Asian female nonsmokers, to consult with doctors and undergo routine chest tests in light of the increasing prevalence of lung cancer.

In her Instagram post, Tong revealed, "I was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Me, a nonsmoker my entire life. The doctors told me this diagnosis is increasingly common among Asians, especially women, who are nonsmokers. That would be me. And maybe that's YOU."

This unexpected revelation comes as Tong has been a beloved figure in the world of television news for decades, having worked at WABC and WPIX, co-anchoring Channel 11 for nearly 20 years.

Tong also shared details of her diagnosis, emphasizing the need for Asian female nonsmokers to remain vigilant. She encouraged her followers to have regular chest X-rays to detect lung cancer early, even if they don't exhibit any symptoms. It was through a routine chest X-ray after a severe cold that Tong's cancer was discovered. Fortunately, she was diagnosed at stage one, allowing for prompt treatment.

The news anchor underwent robotic surgery to remove the tumor and is now in the process of recovery. Tong mentioned that her main focus is to restore normal breathing and aid the remaining portion of her lungs in compensating for the loss of one lobe. She expressed her hope to return to work at Pix11 news by mid-January.

Tong also shared positive news from her doctor, stating, "'Dr. Isbell tells me I am now cancer-free. No chemo or radiation needed. And a very low chance of recurrence. If my journey encourages even one person who fits this profile to get a checkup leading to early detection, I will be grateful.'"

Surprisingly, Kate Micucci, known for her role in the Big Bang Theory, had recently revealed her own lung cancer diagnosis. Like Tong, Micucci is also a non-smoker. Through her TikTok account, Micucci shared her recovery journey after undergoing successful surgery to remove the cancer.

Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, remains a significant health concern. A recent report by the American Cancer Society highlighted that young women are now being diagnosed with the disease at higher rates than men, marking a reversal in the historical trend.

The prevalence of lung cancer underscores the importance of regular checkups, screenings, and early detection, especially for individuals who may not fit the traditional smoking-related risk profile. The cases of Kaity Tong and Kate Micucci serve as reminders that lung cancer can affect anyone, regardless of their smoking history, and that awareness and proactive healthcare measures are crucial in the fight against this disease.