Lung Cancer Voices of Hope

Should you avoid sugar when you are living with lung cancer? Or should you eat anything you want? Are supplements something you need to consider? In this episode, non-small cell lung cancer survivor Diane Beall shares how she approaches nutrition, from mindful eating to her go-to snacks for low-appetite days. Thoracic oncologist Dr. Jared Weiss of the University of North Carolina joins Diane and hosts Ann Steagall and Dr. Misty Shields to discuss sugar and supplements, explain why he often recommends liberalizing a cancer patient's diet, and share practical, drug-specific nutrition tips — from managing the symptoms that come with targeted therapies to coping with taste changes on tarlatamab. “ Think hard about what you've eaten that day and maybe what you need to make up at your dinner time or after dinner or in a snack. ” - Diane Beall, non-small cell lung cancer survivor Discussed in This Episode: Diane's nutrition journey: how she built her own eating plan after diagnosis, and why she recommends every patient work with a nutritionist Getting enough protein and calories: practical, low-effort strategies for days when appetite is low Dr. Weiss's approach to nutrition in the clinic: why hydration comes first, and why correcting a true deficiency helps more than adding supplements "just in case" Sugar, supplements, and common myths: what the evidence actually says, and why more isn't always better Why liberalizing your diet can improve quality of life: Dr. Weiss explains why he often encourages cancer patients to eat the foods they enjoy Supporting a loved one through food: how care partners can help without overstepping Managing side effects through nutrition: tips for diarrhea on targeted therapies, taste changes on tarlatamab, and cancer-related fatigue Resources & Support: Ina, LUNGevity's Intelligent Nutrition Assistant LUNGevity's Virtual Meetups Learn more about Cachexia LUNGevity Online Communities LUNGevity Peer-to-Peer Program The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz See all of LUNGevity Support Services

Living with lung cancer can take more than just a physical toll – it comes with a myriad of feelings, like anxiety, fear, and grief. In this episode, non-small cell lung cancer survivor and advocate Nora Taylor shares her journey through diagnosis, clinical trials, and targeted therapy, along with the rollercoaster of emotions that go with it. Licensed clinical social worker Ashley Griffin joins Nora as well as hosts Ann Steagall and Dr. Misty Shields to explain why anxiety and depression are such a common and often unspoken part of the cancer experience. She offers practical, everyday strategies for coping with scanxiety, uncertainty, and the emotional weight that patients and caregivers both feel. Listen as the group discusses the importance of normalizing these emotions, building self-compassion, and finding support through community. “ Both the caregiver and the patient have emotions. If you think you can't share with your loved ones, then definitely groups like you can find at LUNGevity and other organizations have quite honestly changed my life with cancer.” - Nora Taylor, non-small cell lung cancer survivor Key Topics Discussed in This Episode: Nora's lung cancer story Why anxiety and depression are a normal part of the cancer journey Scanxiety and the emotional rollercoaster Self-validation and self-compassion Coping ahead of scan results The caregiver's emotional burden How you can be hopeful and honest at the same time Finding community and purpose Resources & Support: LUNGevity Virtual Meetups – connect with other lung cancer patients and survivors LUNGevity Online Communities – online groups for patients and care partners LUNGevity Peer-to-Peer Program – connecting people diagnosed with lung cancer to trained survivor mentors LUNGevity Patient Gateways – information and resources specific to your lung cancer type, including HER2 Biomarker Testing – what it is and why it matters for your treatment Read more about managing your mental health after a cancer diagnosis Find LUNGevity's tips for managing scanxiety See all of LUNGevity Support Services

How do clinical trials work? What actually happens when you enroll in one? And how do you find a trial that's right for you? In this episode, small cell lung cancer survivor Wendy Brooks and thoracic oncologist Dr. Arthi Sridhar join hosts Ann Steagall and Dr. Misty Shields to break down the intricacies of clinical trials — the phases, the safeguards in place, and what it's like to be a part of one. Listen as Wendy shares her own experience moving through multiple trials after her cancer progressed on standard treatment. Dr. Sridhar walks through what a clinical trial actually involves, from the safety oversight behind every study to why a trial isn't just a last resort, but instead something patients can and should ask about at any point in their care. "By participating in these trials, I'm not just helping myself, but I'm helping those that are coming behind me." - Wendy Brooks, small cell lung cancer survivor Key Topics Discussed in This Episode: What clinical trials are and how the phases work Wendy's experience moving through multiple trials Common misconceptions about clinical trial safety Safety oversight: IRBs and the role of the principal investigator Why trials aren't just a last resort How to find a trial that's right for you Resources & Support: LUNGevity Clinical Trials: What clinical trials are, how they work, and how to find one Clinical Trial Ambassadors: Connect one-on-one with someone who's been on a clinical trial before you ClinicalTrials.gov: The U.S. government's full listing of open clinical trials UT Southwestern Medical Center: Learn more about the academic medical center where Dr. Sridhar practices and conducts clinical trial research

What are biomarkers, why do they matter, and what should every person living with lung cancer know about getting tested? Dr. Ross Camidge, a world-renowned thoracic oncologist and lung cancer researcher at the University of Colorado, joins Ann Steagall and Dr. Misty Shields to explain the ins and outs of biomarkers. Dr. Camidge helped pioneer biomarker testing as a standard of care, but he also brings the patient perspective as well - he was diagnosed with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer several years ago. They discuss what biomarkers are, how biomarker testing works, why you might need to repeat your testing over time, and why you should know your biomarker status before you begin treatment. “ If you don't have a specific biomarker identified, you've got to ask the question: was the testing complete?” – Dr. Ross Camidge, lung cancer world expert and survivor What You'll Hear: Biomarker testing in lung cancer from a patient and expert perspective What is biomarker testing and why does it matter for lung cancer treatment The evolution of lung cancer biomarker testing Liquid biopsy vs. tissue biopsy for lung cancer Who should get lung cancer biomarker testing and when Repeat biomarker testing and treatment resistance Resources & Support: Biomarker Testing – What it is, why it matters, and how to ask your team about it LUNGevity’s No One Missed – Biomarker testing information for lung cancer What to Ask Your Doctor – Questions to guide your treatment conversations at every step LUNGevity Patient Gateways – Information and resources specific to your lung cancer type EGFR Resistors – Patient-led community for people living with EGFR-positive lung cancer ALK Positive – Community for patients with ALK-positive lung cancer ROS1ders – Community for patients with ROS1-positive lung cancer Virtual Meetups – Connect with other lung cancer patients and survivors, including LUNGevity's weekly Tuesday calls

How do you make the most of your visits with your healthcare team? In this episode, lung cancer survivor Bill Morris shares his experience with lung cancer and how he approaches his healthcare visits now. Oncology nurse practitioner Rasheda Persinger shares her insights after 20 years of working with patients. Hosts Ann and Dr. Shields discuss with Bill and Rasheda what they wish every patient knew, from writing down questions before an appointment to asking about biomarker testing to why recording your visit can make all the difference. “It’s always on the ride home that I thought of the perfect question to ask.” - Bill Morris, lung cancer survivor What You'll Hear: Bill's experience navigating appointments as a stage IIIB lung cancer patient How to prepare before your visit and why it matters Why you should ask to record your appointment When and how to bring up biomarker testing The importance of shared decision-making and seeing the whole patient Resources & Support: LUNGevity Patient Gateways — Resources and latest news for your specific cancer type What to Ask Your Doctor — Questions to guide your treatment conversations at every step Biomarker Testing — What it is and why it matters for your treatment Virtual Meetups — Connect with other lung cancer patients and survivors, including LUNGevity's weekly Tuesday calls