Desiree and Vickie were each living seemingly normal lives until they were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), respectively.
Worldwide, lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer.1 There are two main types of lung cancer: NSCLC and SCLC, and they are treated very differently.2 Therefore, it’s crucial to receive a diagnosis as early as possible to determine an appropriate treatment plan.3
This Lung Cancer Awareness Month and beyond, Amgen is committed to empowering the lung cancer community to #KnowYourLungs and be proactive about one’s health.
Read below to learn about Desiree and Vickie’s individual journeys with lung cancer and how they managed their treatment paths.
The Significance of Biomarker Testing to Inform Treatment Plans
Desiree’s world turned upside down when she unexpectedly received a diagnosis of stage IV NSCLC and was quickly put on an aggressive treatment plan.
Desiree underwent comprehensive biomarker testing to better understand the makeup of her tumor and treatment options. The results of the biomarker testing indicated that she had the KRAS G12C mutation, which is one of the most common mutations in NSCLC, occurring in about 1 in 8 (13%) people living with NSCLC in Western countries.4 Desiree was then able to start a targeted treatment plan that could target the growth drivers of her cancer.5,6
When reflecting on her journey, Desiree expresses, “You need to see what’s out there. You know, ask about your biomarker. Just don’t give up.”
Click here to read more about Desiree’s journey with NSCLC.
Finding Support Through Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Vickie’s lung cancer journey began when she was diagnosed with SCLC after years of experiencing periodic, intense chest pains. She subsequently began treatment with radiation and chemotherapy. However, after one year, she found out that the cancer had metastasized to her brain and she now had extensive-stage SCLC, or ES-SCLC.7
SCLC is one of the most aggressive and devastating solid tumor malignancies, with a five-year relative survival rate of 7% for those living with SCLC.8-10
Throughout her treatment, Vickie maintained an active lifestyle and leaned on friends in her community, as well as her family, for support. Vickie reflects, “It is a journey. You need to embrace it, and you need to try to find joy in every single day. I guess I’m just going to accept it and go with it.”
Click here to read more about Vickie’s journey with ES-SCLC.
To learn more about NSCLC and SCLC and access resources, visit the following websites:
- www.lungevity.org
- www.go2.org
- www.livelung.org
- www.lcfamerica.org
References:
- Lung Cancer – Non-Small Cell: Statistics. Cancer.net. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lung-cancer-non-small-cell/statistics. Accessed October 18, 2024.
- What Is Lung Cancer? American Cancer Society. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/about/what-is.html. Accessed October 18, 2024.
- Lung Cancer Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging. American Cancer Society. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging.html. Accessed October 23, 2024.
- Data on File, Amgen; 2022.
- Sarhadi VK, et al. Biomolecules. 2022;12(8):1021.
- Ahmadzada T, et al. J Clin Med. 2018;7(6):153.
- American Cancer Society. Small Cell Lung Cancer Stages. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging-sclc.html. Accessed October 10, 2024.
- Cleveland Clinical. Small Cell Lung Cancer. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6202-small-cell-lung-cancer. Accessed October 23, 2024.
- Li C, et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine. 2022;19(5):591-608.
- American Cancer Society. Lung Cancer Survival Rates. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html. Accessed October 23, 2024.
