I've met several non-smokers who have or survived lung cancer. One friend I made was Lyn Barrington, a cancer nurse specialist, told in 2011, aged 48 that she had stage 4 NSCLC and given 6 months to live. As a never smoker, tenacious and relatively fit, she explored different options, went on clinical trials and sadly passed away Feb 11th this year, over 4 years since diagnosis. She wrote a blog I found helpful - if you google her, you should find her. I found patient forums and charity websites the best source of support and information.
There are growing numbers of women diagnosed who have never smoked. Smoking is not the only cause but unfortunately, it's the onemost people think of which results in stigma for patients.
Sadly it's only in the last few years that lung cancer research funds have increased but still lagging other cancers. Many people are diagnosed very late in the cancer's development. There are interesting trials underway that offer hope for some.
Roy Castle lung cancer charity magazine has featured several women in previous issues including one of a young woman who had never smoked, last Spring had an article of a women runner who had suddenly lost weight and improved her running times but was getting breathless and ended up having a lobectomy (another non smoker) but is back running. Another article a few years ago was about Cassandra Jardine, a Telegraph journalist.
I had a lobectomy in Dec 2010, diagnosed in Jan 2011 and never smoked. I swim further than before, to maintain fitness and raise funds for lung cancer research. My motivation came from losing a friend suddenly to lung cancer. Since then two friends have lost their mums to it - all without warning.
Sadly too few are found at a stage where surgery is an option. We need earlier diagnoses to improve outcomes for everyone.
I know I am lucky. I work, am active and get on with life with renewed vigour and changed priorities. Since diagnosis, I get more chest infections but cope ok. On days like today, after another CT scan in readiness for another bronchoscopy, sometimes get anxious but it's all relative.
Clinicians told me outcomes differ completely for never smokers as their lungs are not damaged, they are less likely to have complications so can be put on different treatments and more likely to tolerate them.
Unsure if this helps but you or whoever you're enquiring about are certainly not alone.
I've met several non-smokers who have or survived lung cancer. One friend I made was Lyn Barrington, a cancer nurse specialist, told in 2011, aged 48 that she had stage 4 NSCLC and given 6 months to live. As a never smoker, tenacious and relatively fit, she explored different options, went on clinical trials and sadly passed away Feb 11th this year, over 4 years since diagnosis. She wrote a blog I found helpful - if you google her, you should find her. I found patient forums and charity websites the best source of support and information.
There are growing numbers of women diagnosed who have never smoked. Smoking is not the only cause but unfortunately, it's the onemost people think of which results in stigma for patients.
Sadly it's only in the last few years that lung cancer research funds have increased but still lagging other cancers. Many people are diagnosed very late in the cancer's development. There are interesting trials underway that offer hope for some.
Roy Castle lung cancer charity magazine has featured several women in previous issues including one of a young woman who had never smoked, last Spring had an article of a women runner who had suddenly lost weight and improved her running times but was getting breathless and ended up having a lobectomy (another non smoker) but is back running. Another article a few years ago was about Cassandra Jardine, a Telegraph journalist.
I had a lobectomy in Dec 2010, diagnosed in Jan 2011 and never smoked. I swim further than before, to maintain fitness and raise funds for lung cancer research. My motivation came from losing a friend suddenly to lung cancer. Since then two friends have lost their mums to it - all without warning.
Sadly too few are found at a stage where surgery is an option. We need earlier diagnoses to improve outcomes for everyone.
I know I am lucky. I work, am active and get on with life with renewed vigour and changed priorities. Since diagnosis, I get more chest infections but cope ok. On days like today, after another CT scan in readiness for another bronchoscopy, sometimes get anxious but it's all relative.
Clinicians told me outcomes differ completely for never smokers as their lungs are not damaged, they are less likely to have complications so can be put on different treatments and more likely to tolerate them.
Unsure if this helps but you or whoever you're enquiring about are certainly not alone.
