Dana Reeve, Non-Smoker, Diagnosed with Lung Cancer

Aug. 9, 2005 — -- Just 10 months after Christopher Reeve's death, his widow Dana Reeve has learned she has lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among American women, and, according to the Lung Cancer Alliance, over 60 percent of new lung cancer patients have never smoked or already have quit smoking.

Dr. Derek Raghavan, director of the Cleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Center, said that while smoking is the No. 1 risk factor for lung cancer, even people who have never smoked might been exposed to a significant amount of second-hand smoke.

Dana Reeve, a singer, does not smoke. Raghavan said singing in smoky venues is a risk factor.

"There's no way to escape," Raghavan said. "You can't walk away if there's too much smoke, and you're taking deep breaths, so that's not good."

Reeve sang for "Good Morning America" in May, and also talked about life since her husband's death on Oct. 10, 2004, at the age of 52. He had been paralyzed from the neck down since an equestrian accident in 1995.

"I've learned a lot about grief, that it really is something that goes in cycles," Reeve said in the interview. "Chris and I used to say, when he had his accident, 'Well, this is probably the worst thing that's ever happened to either one of us, but at least we had each other to go through it with.'"

Now on her own, the 44-year-old must face a new battle -- with lung cancer. Her 13-year-old son will be at her side, but it may be her continued faith in her husband's undying love that keeps her strong.

"It's kind of mystical, but one person said, 'He'll always be with you,'" Reeve said in May. "I think a person can't love you that much without that staying, without that energy staying with them. And that's kind of a comfort. And it feels like it's true."