In September 2014, at the age of 41, after just over a year and a half of suffering from breathing problems, seeing numerous consultants I was diagnosed with stage 4b advanced metastatic non small cell lung cancer (a type called adenocarcinoma). At the stage of diagnosis it had already spread to my lymph nodes, liver and bone, with the liver being the most badly affected.  There is currently no cure for the disease at this stage. Treatment is continuous. There is no end to treatment until the treatment options run out. 

I want to raise awareness that lung cancer does not only affect older people with a history of smoking. There is an increasing population of young adult non-smokers suffering from this disease. Prior to developing breathing difficulties I used to live an active lifestyle. I was very much into exercise, had a healthy diet, had a busy working and social life, and I did not smoke. The irony is that for 2 years prior to being signed off sick due to the illness, I had been working in a very fulfilling role at the Institute of Cancer Research playing a part to help others with cancer.  Cancer does not discriminate!

I have had chemotherapy for 6 months which had numerous side effects and I am now on a new type of drug which comes under the category of targeted treatments.  There is currently a lot of research going on in lung cancer treatment, which will help patients like me and future sufferers where there was not before.  Great leaps forward are being made in this area.

Every day I try to remain hopeful and positive about the future. This keeps me going. However, this has not been an easy journey and very tough at times. The biggest thing that has motivated and inspired me to keep going is the support from my partner, family, friends, the Institute of Cancer Research and the outstanding work of the doctors and nurses at the Royal Marsden. Without them, I would not be feeling so strong and where I am today, surviving this disease.  A big THANK TO ALL!