For World Cancer Day this year, the Union for International Cancer Control presents the #CloseTheCareGap initiative. February 4, 2023 will be a day focused on promoting equity in the cancer space.
While our bodies can have a wide range of naturally occurring, harmless mutations in different genes, some mutations, called driver mutations, are key to driving the development of cancer. In the early 2000s, EGFR was the first gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to be matched with a targeted therapy.
Her doctor was excited, which made Nina excited. They high-fived and couldn’t believe the progress that had been made in just a few weeks. The clinical trial was already having positive effects.
Before her clinical trial success, Nina went through the standard treatments for people with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). She was diagnosed in early 2014, and the plan was to try different chemo and radiation therapies.
Researchers have made tremendous progress in treating lung cancer by identifying key mutations in genes that drive the growth of lung cancer. Once these “driver” mutations are identified, researchers can work to target these mutations with specific treatments, called targeted therapies.
Overall health becomes a major priority when undergoing lung cancer treatment, and staying active is one way to include healthy behaviors in your life. Talking with your doctor about exercise and lung cancer is important to remain safe and do activities your body and lungs can handle. If you feel chest or lung pain during any workouts, stop immediately and tell your doctor.
The holidays are a time to celebrate, but they can also be a time of stress as we try to create that perfect celebration. Bringing together family and friends, decorating, shopping, cooking, hosting—the list goes on!
After a lung cancer diagnosis, it’s easy to feel like you can’t keep up and that your holidays will never be the same. They can be special; just remember to take care of yourself first before taking care of the holidays.
