Stage I Lung Cancer: Dave's Survivor Story
This lung cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage I
- Sex
- Male
- Treatment
- surgery
- Outcome
- Cancer-Free / Long-Term Survivor
Treatment course, step by step
- Removal of the lower lobe of the left lung; surgery was the only cancer treatment described.
What happened, in summary
In 1998, Dave Bjork experienced pneumonia more than once in the same area of his lung. After the second episode, his doctor ordered a CT scan and found a tumor. Hearing that he had cancer immediately made Dave fear for his life, his insurance coverage and the future of his wife and children, who were younger than 5.
The cancer had not spread and was stage I. Surgery was the only treatment he needed, but it was still a major operation. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his left lung, followed by a painful and lengthy recovery.
Dave wanted to help other people affected by lung cancer, yet for years he felt that his early-stage experience did not belong beside the stories of people fighting advanced disease. He lived with survivor's guilt and spoke publicly only occasionally. About 20 years later, encouragement from fellow advocate Chris Draft and involvement with The White Ribbon Project helped him see that a stage I survivor's voice also mattered.
He now speaks about early detection, lung cancer screening and biomarker testing, while helping other survivors feel that they have a place in the community. Dave describes his life as centered on gratitude and kindness and hopes his experience can give people hope and encourage earlier diagnosis.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by The Patient Story. Read the original in full
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team.