Patient Interviews

 

Patient 1 is a 68-year-old woman who smoked many years ago. She first went to her doctor because she developed asthma and a persistent cough. After a CT and biopsy, her doctor diagnosed her with early (Stage 1B) lung cancer. She had surgery to remove the tumor, and also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Four years later, she remains cancer-free.

 

Patient 2 is a 68-year-old woman who smoked a pack a day. As soon as she was diagnosed with lung cancer, she quit smoking. She had surgery to remove her tumor and is currently receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. She expected the side effects of chemotherapy to be worse than she is experiencing.

 

Patient 3 is a 54-year-old woman who smoked for 35 years. She was diagnosed with early (Stage II) lung cancer. After being diagnosed, she quit smoking. After having surgery to remove the tumor, she participated in a clinical trial and received cisplatin/docetaxel chemotherapy and bevacizumab, a newer treatment for lung cancer.

 

Patient 4 is a 55-year-old woman who has never smoked. She was diagnosed with Stage IIIA lung cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes. After having surgery to remove her cancer, she participated in a clinical trial and received cisplatin/docetaxel chemotherapy and bevacizumab, a newer treatment for lung cancer.