Stage I Lung Cancer: Dave's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Dave Bjork was in his mid-30s, active, and a non-smoker when a case of pneumonia led to a lung cancer diagnosis. He had become sick during a cold fishing trip in Maine and was treated with antibiotics after a chest X-ray. Because the abnormal finding remained in the same area, his doctor ordered a CT scan to check for a blockage. The scan showed a tumor in his lung. Dave was told he had lung cancer, later identified as a neuroendocrine tumor. The cancer was localized in the lower-left lung lobe and staged as Stage IB, based on a tumor about 3 cm in size. Surgery was the main treatment. Dave had a lobectomy to remove the affected lobe. During surgery, lymph nodes were checked, and afterward he learned there was no spread of disease. Because the cancer had not metastasized, no immediate additional treatment was described after surgery. The diagnosis was emotionally jarring because it did not match how healthy he felt or how unlikely lung cancer seemed. As of January 2021, Dave was sharing his experience as a long-term lung cancer survivor and advocate, encouraging patients to follow persistent abnormal findings and seek support early. He later turned that experience into work helping patients and caregivers navigate research.