Hello

[PinkRottie]

hi all I’m a new member here but I’ve had Stage 4 inoperable and incurable Lung Cancer for 26 months despite having never smoked. I’ve been relatively well during this time with just a few annoying side effects of my medication. I’m looking forward to exploring the website and the discussion groups.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Welcome to the forum where you will find support and encouragement. Unfortunately, anyone with lungs can get lung cancer and equally sorry to hear you have lung cancer.

We offer one to one telephone support or online support groups through zoom and you can view and register for these through this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp... alternatively you can email our support coordinator Ellen Knapp at [e-mail]

We have a range of information booklets which you can download from this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp... you may be quite knowledgeable already given that you have been living with your cancer for a few years now.

Some people are interested in sharing their experience or being a patient advocate, you can look at ways to get involved through this link: roycastle.org/get-involved/

Throughout the year we will be hosting patient information days across the UK, you can view our current ones in this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

I hope you hear from others in the forum living with lung cancer and if you would like to discuss anything or have a chat you can call the ask the nurse helpline on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, or you can email us at [e-mail]

Kind regards

Ask the nurse support team

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

[Boo_Radley]

Hi PinkRottie,

Sorry that you qualify, but welcome to the group. You will find lots of helpful advice here.

[JanetteR57]

Welcome to the group .

I was diagnosed in Jan 2011 and became involved in health research in 2013 (also a never smoker). I had no idea at that point that so many people developed lung cancer as awareness was and still is poor amongst the public and even healthcare professionals less involved with cancer. During that time I've met lung cancer patients of all ages, stages, locations in UK and Europe and several have become friends.

Things have changed so much regarding treatment for stage iv which is the majority diagnosis stage in the UK and some other countries and why lung screening is being introduced in many areas for those most at risk currently a smoking history in a certain age group.

I think the shock of the diagnosis can be huge due to such strong societal messaging that the condition is related to tobacco exposure which it is for many. However in recent years other factors have clearly contributed and there is still much to discover on this front. Anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer and society needs to better understand this to reduce delays to diagnosis that often happen for those who didn't smoke.

I've lost track of the different treatments introduced since my diagnosis as well as changes in the way more traditional treatments are delivered. It's common for patients to be given combinations of treatments for better outcomes now too. More treatments have been introduced in the last 10 years than the previous 30 and far more is invested in LC research .

As you've found, many treatments allow relatively good health and symptom/tumour management but the psychological impact of the treatment/diagnosis and side effects still need coping with. Hope you find answers and can contribute to this much needed forum. Good luck.