Hope With Answers: Living With Lung Cancer

What happens after first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC)? Patient advocate Jill Feldman sits down with Dr. Martin Edelman, Chair of Hematology-Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, to discuss maintenance therapy—also known as continuation therapy—and how it may help keep small cell lung cancer under control after initial treatment. Dr. Edelman explains why small...

What is PD-L1, and why does it matter so much in your lung cancer treatment plan? Patient host Colette Smith talks with Dr. Julie Brahmer of Johns Hopkins University Hospital to demystify PD-L1 testing, immunotherapy decisions, and personalized lung cancer care. You'll learn: What PD-L1 is and how cancer cells use it as a "cloaking device" How Tumor Proportion Scores (TPS) from 0 to 100 guide trea...

Three years after her small cell lung cancer diagnosis, patient advocate Wendy Brooks sits down with Dr. Ashish Saxena, medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, to talk about the rapid changes transforming SCLC care. From immunotherapy and bispecific T-cell engagers to emerging targeted therapies, this episode unpacks what every patient should know about today's treatment landscape. You'll le...

What is an EGFR mutation — and could you pass it down to your children? Patient advocate Lysa Buonanno asks the questions every EGFR-positive lung cancer patient wants answered. Dr. Alice Berger, a lung cancer researcher at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, explains how EGFR mutations develop, why they are rarely inherited, and what targeted treatments — including exciting new FDA-approved options — mean...

Clinical trials can feel intimidating, but they are one of the most important ways new lung cancer treatments become available to patients. In this episode of Hope With Answers: Living With Lung Cancer, patient advocate Wendy Brooks sits down with Dr. Ashish Saxena, thoracic medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, to break down what clinical trials really are and why they matter. Together, t...

If you've heard the term "SubQ" at your oncology appointment and weren't sure what it meant, this episode is for you. Lung cancer patient and LCFA Speakers Bureau member Stephanie Williams sits down with Dr. Coral Olazagasti, medical oncologist at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, to break down what subcutaneous (SubQ) treatment really means — and why it's making a real differenc...

Lung cancer screening is one of the simplest tools available in cancer care, yet it remains widely underused. A low-dose CT scan takes just a few minutes and can detect lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages. Jim Pantelas is a Navy Veteran and a 20 plus year lung cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with stage 3B lung cancer at age 52, back when lung cancer screening was not available....

Our nation's Veterans are on the front lines of a new fight: advocating for lung cancer screening and powering the next wave of research using blood tests to screen for lung cancer. Air Force and Navy Veteran Donnita Butler shares how a simple low-dose CT scan saved her life after she advocated for screening despite initial pushback. Alongside Dr. Drew Moghanaki, a leading expert in Veterans' lung...

Small cell lung cancer was once considered one of the most challenging diagnoses in oncology. But today, groundbreaking treatments are transforming patient outcomes and rewriting survival stories. Discover how immunotherapy, T-cell engagers, CAR T-cell therapy, and antibody drug conjugates are moving from clinical trials to standard care, offering patients years of disease control and genuine hope...

Early detection of lung cancer can save lives. In this essential episode, two-time survivor and LCFA co-founder David Sturges shares how screening helped him beat lung cancer—twice. Joined by Dr. Denise Aberle and LCFA-funded researcher Dr. Kellie Smith, this episode dives into why lung cancer is often diagnosed late, what new screening methods can do to change that, and what the future of early t...

Shining a light on the caregiving journey for lung cancer patients, Dr. Allison Applebaum, founder of the Caregiver’s Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and caregiver Gail Fackler, along with her husband, Jim, speak candidly about the mental health challenges caregivers face, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The conversation covers the overwhelming realities of caregiving, f...

In this special re-release of Hope With Answers, lung cancer advocate Jill Feldman tackles a challenge that most patients never see coming—stigma. Originally aired in January 2020, this candid and emotional episode sheds light on the damaging assumptions patients face and how words can wound, even when well-intentioned. From doctors and friends to complete strangers, the first question many patien...

Originally aired in May 2020, this final episode of The First 7 Days podcast series provides newly diagnosed lung cancer patients with crucial guidance on developing a personalized treatment plan. Building on the foundations established in previous episodes about finding the right medical team and understanding diagnostic testing, this concluding installment helps transform overwhelming informatio...

A lung cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but getting a second opinion could be a game-changer in your treatment journey. In this episode of the Hope With Answers: Living With Lung Cancer podcast, thoracic oncologist Dr. David Carbone, along with lung cancer survivors and advocates, discusses why seeking a second opinion—especially from a specialist at a university-based center—can provide ac...

Just diagnosed with lung cancer? In this essential episode, thoracic oncologist Dr. David Carbone and lung cancer survivors share why you have time to breathe, gather information, and make informed decisions about your treatment journey. Transcript | Show Notes   Originally released in May 2020 as part of The First 7 Days series , this timeless episode of the Hope with Answers Living with Lung Can...

As we wrap up 2024, LCFA's Hope With Answers host Mitch Jelniker presents our most downloaded episode of the year, featuring a transformative conversation about palliative care in the lung cancer journey. Dr. Sherri Cervantez , Director of Palliative Oncology at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, joins lung cancer survivor Sally Cain for an enlightening discussion that changed how th...

In this foundational episode released in December 2019, lung cancer survivor Lysa Buonanno shares critical insights about navigating a lung cancer diagnosis. Her journey, which began at age 40 with persistent back pain, highlights the importance of comprehensive testing and informed decision-making in lung cancer treatment. Today, more than 12 years after her initial diagnosis, Lysa continues to l...

Most Downloaded Episode: From COVID Test to Lung Cancer Diagnosis Join host Mitch Jelniker as we revisit our most popular Hope With Answers episode featuring Annabelle Gurwitch - actress, author, and unexpected lung cancer advocate. What started as a routine COVID test in 2020 led to a shocking stage IV lung cancer diagnosis for this never-smoker. With her signature wit, Annabelle shares how her t...

Delve into the world of adjuvant therapy for lung cancer patients through insightful discussions with Dr. Jonathan Villena-Vargas, an assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery, and Lisa Goldman, a long-term lung cancer survivor and advocate. Dr. Villena-Vargas provides a comprehensive overview of adjuvant therapy, explaining its role in preventing cancer recurrence after primary treatment. He...

Explore the remarkable small cell lung cancer treatment advancements that offer renewed hope to patients and their loved ones. Dr. Jacob Sands, a leading oncologist from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Maida Mangiameli, a small cell lung cancer survivor, share their expertise and experiences, providing a unique perspective on the latest breakthroughs in small cell lung cancer treatment. Dr....

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness. A team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and other specialists work with a patient’s existing physicians to provide an extra layer of support and specialized care. Palliative care aims to alleviate suffering, nurture comfort, and promote understanding for people living...

Cada año, alrededor de 6.000 hombres hispanos y 5.800 mujeres hispanas serán diagnosticados con cáncer de pulmón . El cáncer de pulmón es la principal causa de muerte por cáncer entre los hombres hispanos y la segunda causa entre las mujeres hispanas. Por eso la detección temprana es fundamental. El Dr. Jonathan Villena-Vargas, un reconocido experto en cáncer de pulmón, y Yovana María Portillo, un...

Discover empowering strategies for lung cancer caregiving in the Hope with Answers podcast. Gain insights from experts and a survivor's story on balancing care with self-care. This episode is a must-watch for any caregiver seeking guidance, support, and the strength to navigate their vital role with grace and resilience. Guests: Jenni Daniel, BSN, RN - Life Coach for lung cancer survivors and thei...

Explore the critical role of biomarker testing in lung cancer treatment with Dr. Salman Punekar, Medical Oncologist at NYU Langone Health. Specializing in early-phase clinical development, Dr. Punekar explains the function of the biomarker STK11, a newer discovery shaping approaches to non-small cell lung cancer therapies.  Guests Salman R. Punekar, MD , Assistant Professor of Medicine of Medical...

In this Hope With Answers episode, host Diane Mulligan interviews Dr. Tejas Patil, an oncologist specializing in lung cancer, about ROS1-positive lung cancer . As Dr. Patil explains, "ROS1 is a type of mutation that we see in patients who have lung cancer. It's one of many but it's an important one because there is targeted treatments available to these patients that really are not like chemothera...