What happened, in summary

Daniel West’s lung nodules were found unexpectedly in 2022 when he used a workplace opportunity to have cardiac testing after his father’s death from a heart attack. CT and PET imaging showed a concerning nodule in the middle lobe of his right lung, and bronchoscopy led to a diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer on December 22, 2022.

Daniel and his husband, John, sought a second opinion at MD Anderson before choosing treatment. He had surgery to remove the right middle lobe of his lung. Nearby lymph nodes also contained cancer, and the cancer was Stage II. He then completed chemotherapy in June 2023.

Testing found an EGFR alteration. After chemotherapy, Daniel started osimertinib (Tagrisso), an EGFR-targeted therapy. Treatment was difficult: he experienced neuropathy, sciatica, stomach ulcers, a blood clot in his leg, and blood clots in his lungs that required long-term blood thinners.

At the latest report, Daniel had no evidence of active cancer. His doctors continued to monitor a couple of small lung nodules, with no progression reported. The experience also shaped how he approaches care. Daniel emphasizes clear communication, second opinions, and having John recognized as part of treatment decisions. He also speaks openly about lung-cancer stigma and encourages other patients to advocate for care they can trust.