Gene Therapy Gives Stage 4 Mom More Time
Sara Whitlock: Thriving After Stage 4 Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Sara Whitlock was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2010 at just 47. She feared she wouldn’t live to see her daughters grow up. Her outlook was bleak—only a 3% chance of surviving five years. Yet more than a decade later, Sara is thriving, watching her daughters graduate and enjoying everyday life with her husband. Her journey began with traditional chemotherapy and radiation. A major turning point came in 2017 when she joined a clinical trial for a gene-targeted therapy called selpercatinib (LOXO-292). The drug is designed for patients with a rare mutation called RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer, found in only about 2% of lung cancer patients.
Sara’s story is a powerful example of how targeted therapies, drugs developed to block specific cancer-driving mutations, are transforming treatment and survival for people with advanced lung cancer. Unlike the harsh side effects of earlier treatments, this pill-based therapy has been easier to tolerate, and Sara currently has no signs of cancer. While she remains aware that her cancer could return, she’s living fully and cherishing every moment. Her story is a reminder that even with a stage 4 diagnosis, new research and personalized treatments are rewriting the possibilities for patients—and their families. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
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26 Years Living With Stage 4 Lung Cancer
Wells Stage 4 Lung Cancer Survivor Story
When Wells W. was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 1998, doctors told him he had just 10 months to live. But Wells, a scientist by training, took charge of his care—researching treatments, getting second opinions, and joining a compassionate use trial for Iressa (gefitinib), a targeted therapy that matched his EGFR mutation. His tumors shrank enough for surgery, and he’s continued to live cancer-managed ever since.
Now 91, Wells has dedicated his life to lung cancer advocacy, co-founding GO2 for Lung Cancer and mentoring others facing the disease. His journey proves that even with a stage 4 diagnosis, hope, action, and long-term survival are possible. (Source: GO2 for Lung Cancer)
Caroline’s Story: Facing Lung Cancer with Family and Hope
Caroline’s EGFR Lung Cancer Genetic Mutation Story
Caroline, a nurse practitioner from Louisiana, knows the impact of lung cancer firsthand due to her family’s experience. Several relatives who never smoked developed lung cancer, prompting genetic testing that revealed an EGFR gene mutation affecting Caroline, her mother, and grandmother. Shortly after having her baby, Caroline’s own lung screening showed nodules, leading to surgery and challenging complications that required multiple hospitalizations. She eventually found a supportive medical team closer to home at MD Anderson, where she continues to receive regular screenings.
Embracing a positive outlook, Caroline draws strength from her family and friends and actively raises awareness about genetic mutations in lung cancer, inspired by her meeting with Dr. Geoff Oxnard, hoping her experience will encourage and inform others. (Source: EGFR Resisters)
Targeted Pill Delays Lung Cancer Return
Tagrisso (Osimertinib) Delays EGFR Lung Cancer Recurrence
A new treatment is bringing hope to people with stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has a mutation in a gene called EGFR, which stands for epidermal growth factor receptor. This gene helps cells grow, and when it’s mutated, it can cause cancer to grow faster. These EGFR mutations are found in many people with lung cancer—especially never smokers and those of Asian descent.
In the LAURA trial, patients who had already completed chemotherapy and radiation were given the pill Tagrisso (osimertinib) to help prevent their cancer from coming back. The study, led by Dr. Suresh Ramalingam of Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, showed powerful results: people who took Tagrisso stayed cancer-free for a median of 39 months—compared to just 5.6 months in the group that didn’t take the drug. That means Tagrisso reduced the risk of cancer returning or spreading by 84%.
Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a once-daily targeted therapy used to treat EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. It works by blocking the abnormal EGFR signals that cause cancer cells to grow, helping delay recurrence and slow disease progression. Tagrisso has become a standard treatment in several stages of EGFR-positive lung cancer and is especially valued for its ability to help protect against cancer spreading to the brain.
While some patients experienced side effects like inflammation in the lungs, no new safety issues were found. Tagrisso is now the first targeted therapy to show such a strong benefit for stage 3 EGFR-positive lung cancer. Doctors believe this could become the new standard of care—offering more time and hope to patients with this aggressive form of lung cancer. (Source: Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University)
New Targets Found in Rare Cancers
Researchers Identify New Treatment Targets for Hard-to-Treat Cancers
Researchers have discovered four new possible treatment targets for hard-to-treat cancers like osteosarcoma (a bone cancer), glioblastoma (a fast-growing brain tumor), and rare pancreatic tumors. These cancers often survive by using a backup system to protect their DNA called the ALT pathway (short for Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres). This system helps cancer cells keep dividing and growing, even when most treatments stop working.
To find these weak spots, scientists developed a new tool called BLOCK-ID, which acts like a microscope for cancer’s stress points. When cancer cells try to copy their DNA and make new cells, things can go wrong—this is called replication stress. BLOCK-ID lets researchers see which proteins rush in to help the cancer survive during this stress. One of the newly discovered proteins, TRIM24, along with three others, may be helping these tough cancers grow. Blocking them could shut down the cancer’s defenses.
More research is underway to test whether these new targets can lead to real treatments. For patients with aggressive or rare cancers, this offers new hope for future therapies that go after cancer at its core. (Source: Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University)
Coping with Cancer: Finding Strength, Hope, and Meaning
Emotional Support & Resilience
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is life-changing. It can feel like the ground beneath you has shifted, leaving you overwhelmed, afraid, and uncertain about the future. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or navigating life after treatment, coping with cancer is a deeply personal and ongoing journey.
While no two experiences are the same, there are universal strategies and tools that can help you regain a sense of control, hope, and emotional resilience. This guide offers supportive, actionable steps to help you cope with cancer in a way that honors your emotions, your body, and your story.
1. Acknowledge and Accept Your Emotions
One of the first steps in coping with cancer is acknowledging your emotional response. Fear, anger, sadness, confusion, and even guilt are all common reactions. These emotions can come in waves or appear without warning. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed—there is no “right” way to respond.
Try this:
● Keep a journal to explore your thoughts and name your emotions.
● Speak kindly to yourself. Say, “I’m feeling afraid right now,” rather than “I shouldn’t feel this way.”
● Practice gentle affirmations: “It’s okay to feel what I feel. I am doing my best.”
Recognizing your emotional landscape helps you move through it with more compassion and less shame.
2. Build a Support System That Works for You
Coping with cancer is not something you have to do alone. Let people help you in ways that feel safe and meaningful. Support can take different forms for everyone—some need practical help, others require a quiet presence, and some need professional guidance.
Support ideas:
● Join an in-person or virtual cancer support group.
● Choose one trusted person to relay medical updates to others.
● Work with a therapist who specializes in chronic illness or grief.
Having a support system in place can reduce feelings of isolation and remind you that you are not alone.
3. Focus on What You Can Control
Cancer can leave you feeling powerless. While you may not have control over your diagnosis or treatment plan, you can make choices about how you manage each day. Shifting focus to what’s within your control can restore a sense of agency.
You might choose to:
● Decide who you share your diagnosis with and when.
● Set limits with people who increase stress or make unhelpful comments.
● Maintain small routines that nourish you, like eating well, resting, or taking a gentle walk.
Small decisions can make a big difference in how you experience each day.
4. Take Care of Your Whole Self
Coping with cancer goes beyond the physical—it also involves caring for your emotional, mental, and spiritual self. Whether you lean into creativity, spirituality, or stillness, give yourself permission to care for your whole being.
Ideas to explore:
● Practice meditation, deep breathing, or gentle yoga.
● Express yourself through painting, journaling, or music.
● Spend time in nature or with animals, if that soothes you.
● Reflect on or engage in your spiritual or religious practices.
Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate. It’s about honoring what helps you feel most like you.
5. Make Space for Joy and Meaning
Yes, even amid cancer, moments of joy, beauty, and meaning can still emerge. These moments don’t erase the pain—they coexist with it, offering light in the dark.
Notice or create:
● Simple joys like a warm cup of tea, sunlight on your skin, or a favorite show.
● Creative projects, such as writing letters, scrapbooking, or making art.
● Opportunities to reflect on your values and what matters most to you. Finding meaning can be part of the healing process—not because everything happens for a reason, but because you can create your own purpose through connection, creativity, and presence.
6. Ask for and Accept Help—Without Guilt
Many people find it challenging to ask for help, especially when they’re accustomed to being independent or caregivers themselves. But part of coping with cancer is learning to receive support without guilt. People want to help. Let them.
Try saying:
● “Yes, that would be really helpful, thank you.”
● “I’m not sure what I need, but I appreciate you being here.”
● “I need to rest right now—can we talk later?”
Letting others in isn’t a burden; it’s a bridge to deeper connection and relief.
7. Seek Professional Support That Resonates with You
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. In fact, many people find therapy to be one of their most powerful tools for coping with cancer. Whether you’re processing grief, facing fear, or navigating identity changes, having a professional to walk beside you can offer clarity and comfort.
Therapeutic options include:
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): For managing anxiety and negative thought patterns.
● Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): To help you accept what’s out of your control while committing to actions that align with your values.
● EMDR Therapy: Especially helpful if the trauma of diagnosis or treatment lingers.
● Supportive Counseling: A safe space to talk openly and receive compassion.
Many therapists specialize in working with people experiencing medical trauma, chronic illness, or grief—look for someone who gets it.
Final Thoughts: You Are Not Alone
Coping with cancer is hard, and there’s no perfect roadmap. Some days will feel okay. Others may find it unbearable. But you don’t have to go through it alone, and you don’t have to do it all at once.
You are allowed to feel your feelings, ask for help, take breaks, laugh, cry, and everything in between. You are still you—whole and worthy—no matter what this diagnosis tries to take away.
Healing isn’t linear, and progress can be messy. But there is strength in vulnerability, hope in connection, and resilience in simply continuing forward.
If you or someone you love is coping with cancer, reach out for support, for care, for someone to walk with you. You are doing incredibly brave things—one day, one moment, one breath at a time.
Need someone to talk to?
Whether you’re in active treatment or recovery, therapy can provide a stable foundation for processing your journey. Reach out today—we’re here for you. Towler Counseling LLC: www.towler-counseling.com
Author- Tara Towler Cumby LPC CPCS CMAC
Three New Lung Cancer Treatments Show Promise
Three New Lung Cancer Treatments in 2025 Showing Promise at ASCO
At the 2025 ASCO cancer meeting, researchers shared encouraging updates on new treatments for both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. One study showed that tarlatamab, a new type of targeted immunotherapy, helped patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer live longer with fewer side effects than standard chemotherapy — even in cases where the cancer had spread to the brain. This is an especially hopeful sign for a disease with very few second-line treatment options.
Another study focused on a pill called zipalertinib, developed for patients with an uncommon EGFR mutation (exon 20 insertion). Many of these patients had already tried chemotherapy or other targeted treatments with limited success. In the trial, zipalertinib shrank tumors in about one-third of patients, including those whose cancer had progressed or reached the brain. A third trial found that giving the targeted drug osimertinib before surgery helped shrink tumors in EGFR-positive lung cancer, and may reduce the chances of the cancer coming back.
These advances show how targeted therapies are becoming more personalized and effective — even for hard-to-treat lung cancers. For many patients, they represent not just longer life, but better quality of life. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
Vitamin C Boosts Cancer Survival
IV Vitamin C Shows Promise in Advanced Cancer Clinical Trial
A new study offers hope for patients facing some of the toughest cancer diagnoses. In a phase 2 clinical trial, adding high-dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C to standard chemotherapy nearly doubled survival for people with advanced pancreatic cancer—from 8 months to 16 months. Patients also reported feeling better during treatment, with fewer side effects and improved ability to tolerate therapy. This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that high-dose IV vitamin C could help improve both survival and quality of life for people with aggressive cancers.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have spent nearly 20 years studying the effects of vitamin C delivered by IV rather than by mouth, where it can reach levels high enough to damage cancer cells while leaving healthy cells mostly unharmed. Encouraging results have also been seen in brain cancer and are being studied in lung cancer. Experts say that because vitamin C is low-cost and well tolerated, it could become a helpful add-on to treatment—not just for pancreatic cancer, but for other difficult-to-treat cancers as well. (Source: University of Iowa Health Care / Redox Biology)
The Truth About Sugar and Cancer
What Cancer Patients Should Know About Diet
Learn why sugar doesn’t directly “feed” cancer, which foods support health during treatment, and how to maintain a balanced diet.
Sugar often causes confusion and anxiety for people concerned about cancer, with many myths claiming sugar “feeds” cancer cells. Experts clarify that while high sugar intake can lead to obesity—a known risk factor for certain cancers—sugar itself doesn’t directly cause cancer. Cancer develops when cells grow uncontrollably due to factors like genetics, tobacco, alcohol, radiation, or even chance.
A common misconception is that the natural sugar (fructose) in fruits should be avoided. In fact, eating fresh fruits and vegetables in practical amounts as part of a balanced diet actually supports overall health and can reduce cancer risk.
If you’re diagnosed with cancer, completely eliminating sugar won’t help cure or slow your disease. Restrictive diets may even weaken your body when strength is essential. Instead, experts recommend a balanced, Mediterranean-style diet and suggest working with a registered dietitian to tailor your nutritional plan, manage treatment side effects, and keep your body strong throughout your cancer journey. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
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Breaking the Stigma Around Lung Cancer
Breaking Misconceptions and Supporting Patient
Many people with lung cancer face stigma and blame, even from loved ones and healthcare providers. Learn why lung cancer is no one’s fault.
More than half of people with lung cancer report feeling judged or blamed by friends, family, and even healthcare providers. Because lung cancer has long been linked to smoking, many assume it’s the patient’s fault. But the reality is different: anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer, including those who have never smoked or who quit years ago.
Stigma doesn’t just hurt feelings—it can actually keep people from getting screened or treated promptly, harming their health. Experts emphasize that lung cancer is no one’s fault; nicotine addiction is difficult to overcome, and no patient deserves blame. Recognizing and reducing lung cancer stigma helps ensure all patients receive the compassion and medical support they deserve. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
9 Common Questions About Genetic Testing for Cancer
How Knowing Your Risk Can Guide Treatment
For patients facing stage 4 lung cancer or those with a strong family history of cancer, genetic testing can offer clarity, guidance, and hope. About 10% of cancers are hereditary, meaning they are driven by inherited gene mutations that can be passed through families. Testing for these mutations, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and others linked to lung or related cancers, helps doctors understand a patient’s personal cancer risk and may also guide treatment choices—especially for targeted therapies.
Importantly, having a gene mutation doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get cancer, but it does raise your risk. If you already have cancer, genetic testing can sometimes influence treatment decisions, like choosing one type of chemotherapy or surgery over another. For those with a family history, testing can alert relatives to start earlier cancer screenings or preventive measures. Bringing a detailed family history to your genetic counseling appointment can be a valuable first step.
Knowing your genetic risk empowers you to take proactive steps—whether that’s enrolling in clinical trials, pursuing early screening, or helping your children understand their potential risks. While we can’t change our genes, we can change how we respond to what they tell us. (Source: Mayo Clinic)
MMRd Cancers Respond to Immunotherapy
Clinical Trial Shows Surgery-Free Treatment Success
A new immunotherapy-only approach is offering real hope to people with early-stage cancers that have a specific genetic mutation called mismatch repair-deficiency (MMRd). In a large clinical trial, nearly 80% of patients with rectal, colon, stomach, esophageal, and other MMRd cancers were successfully treated using immunotherapy alone — with no need for surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. For rectal cancer patients, the response rate was 100%. This treatment uses a type of immunotherapy called a checkpoint inhibitor, which helps the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. It’s a major shift in care, especially for cancers that typically require organ removal or harsh treatments.
Why does this matter? For many patients, standard treatments like surgery and radiation can lead to permanent changes in bowel, urinary, or sexual function — or even infertility. This new strategy preserves quality of life and may especially help those with Lynch syndrome, a condition that increases cancer risk but often responds poorly to chemotherapy. Importantly, the FDA has granted breakthrough status to the immunotherapy drug used, Jemperli (dostarlimab), based on these promising results. As research continues, doctors hope to extend this approach to more cancer types, beyond those with MMRd. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
