The Pervasive Stigma Associated With Lung Cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized

Biomarkers: EGFR exon 19 deletion

After right upper lobectomy and chemotherapy, the patient continued a daily targeted-therapy tablet for EGFR exon 19-deleted lung adenocarcinoma.

Stage IV HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Regina's Patient Story

Patient Info: Regina Ritter, Female, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: Liver | Lung

At the 2013 interview, Regina was living with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer after liver metastasis at diagnosis, later recurrence, and inoperable lung metastasis treated with oral chemotherapy.

Krankheitserfahrungen.deRead more →

Lung Cancer: Martine's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Martine, Female, 60s

Martine was 66 and retired when she shared her lung cancer story; after chemotherapy, right lung lobectomy, and more chemotherapy, she was in remission and rebuilding an active life.

Stage IV HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Leftfootforward's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Leftfootforward, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: Brain | Liver

Leftfootforward was diagnosed with Stage IIB HER2-positive breast cancer in 2010 and metastatic brain/liver disease in 2012; after systemic therapy, Gamma Knife, craniotomy for necrotic tissue, partial liver lobectomy, and resumed Herceptin, her latest scans showed no evidence of disease.

BreastCancer.org (ES)Read more →

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Rachel's Patient Story

Patient Info: Rachel, Female | Stage IV

Rachel was living with Stage 4 breast cancer for 12 years with hormone treatment, oral chemotherapy, and CT/MRI scans every 3 months; she described her health as very good.

The Christie NHSRead more →

Sebastian Clegg, Christie patient

Patient Info: Sebastian, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Sebastian was living with metastatic, inoperable bowel cancer and receiving chemotherapy every 2 weeks at The Christie to shrink tumours.

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Breast Cancer: Carol's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Carol, Female

Carol completed breast cancer treatment at age 30, later had 2 children, and 30 years later no longer needed Christie check-ups.

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Lung Cancer: Mary's Patient Story

Patient Info: Mary, Female

Mary received 4 cycles of chemotherapy, then radiotherapy and a clinical trial for lung cancer, while using MyChristie-MyHealth questionnaires to keep her clinical team updated between visits.

The Christie NHSRead more →

Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer with later lung metastasis

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Hormone receptor-positive; HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: Lung

The patient had hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer treated with standard therapy, then developed lung metastasis years later and continued molecular targeted therapy indefinitely while asymptomatic from the metastasis.

Colorectal Cancer: Iris's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Iris Niebling, Female, 60s

At the 2013 interview, Iris was living in survivorship after anal carcinoma treated with chemoradiation and many later surgeries for complications, with a second stoma that ultimately improved her quality of life.

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Breast Cancer: Belén's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Belén, Female

Belén completed mastectomy, chemotherapy through December 2007, and 5 years of hormone therapy, and later attended follow-up visits calmly and confidently.

Breast Cancer: Marta's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Marta, Female, Under 40

Marta completed a 5-year breast cancer treatment path that included surgery, 6 months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and clinical trial participation.

Breast Cancer: Iria's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Iria, Female, Under 40

Iria completed a 10-month breast cancer treatment course that included chemotherapy and participation in a clinical trial with experimental therapy.

BRCA Breast Cancer: Susana's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Susana, Female

Biomarkers: BRCA mutation

Susana was finishing treatment after bilateral mastectomy and delayed chemotherapy complicated by wound-healing problems and allergic reactions.

Breast Cancer: Gemina's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Gemina, Female

Gemina completed surgery followed by prolonged chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and biological therapies, overcame the disease, and later became pregnant with her first child.

Stage IV BRCA Breast Cancer: Carolina's Patient Story

Patient Info: Carolina, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: BRCA mutation

Metastatic Site: Not specified

Carolina had metastatic breast cancer from the start, completed bilateral mastectomy, multiple surgeries, 6 months of chemotherapy, and 25 radiation sessions, and still had reconstructive procedures remaining.

Stage IV Lung Cancer: Agnès's Patient Story

Patient Info: Agnès, Female, 50s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Tumor mutation identified; specific alteration not named

Agnès had metastatic lung cancer with a tumor mutation that allowed home-based treatment; her breathing and mobility improved and some metastases and one nodule disappeared.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Jode's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jode, Male

Jode’s husband had non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed in 2010, received 33 chemotherapy cycles over 1 year, and later continued 6-monthly oncology and pulmonology follow-up.

Breast Cancer: Cindy-Anne's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Cindy-Anne Manoo, Female, 40s

Cindy-Anne completed mastectomy with reconstruction, second surgery, chemotherapy, and 15 radiation sessions after her initial Stage I breast cancer surgery was followed by positive lymph-node and margin findings.

BreastCancer.org (ES)Read more →

Lung Cancer: Julie's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Julie, Female, 70+

Julie had early-stage localized lung cancer without metastases, underwent right upper-lobe lobectomy and 6 chemotherapy treatments, and was told in October 2017 that she was in complete remission.

HR-Positive Breast Cancer: Toni's Patient Story

Patient Info: Toni S, Female, 50s

Biomarkers: ER-positive or PR-positive; HER2-positive; triple-positive breast cancer

Toni completed chemotherapy, surgery, Kadcyla, and radiation for triple-positive breast cancer with lymph-node involvement and continued anastrozole to suppress estrogen.

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Lung Cancer: Carole's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Carole, Female, 70+

Carole’s mother was treated for lung cancer with lobectomy and chemotherapy and was later described as being in remission, active, exercising, and traveling.

Stage II BRCA1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Stephanie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Stephanie Hargis, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-negative; BRCA1 mutation

Stephanie had Stage II triple-negative breast cancer with BRCA1 mutation, then a local recurrence in April 2023 without distant spread; after surgery, chemotherapy, Keytruda, radiation, and Lynparza, she remained in ongoing post-recurrence treatment.

BreastCancer.org (ES)Read more →

Stage IV Lung Cancer: Thierry's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Thierry, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Brain

Thierry had lung cancer with a brain metastasis treated with urgent brain surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and lung tumor surgery; later he lived under close surveillance after seizures and treatment-related recovery.