Beata D., NJ

Not everyone gets a second chance at life. Some of us are more fortunate than others, and I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I’m alive, I’m happy, and I’m here to share my story.

My name is Beata, and this is my journey.

On May 24, 2023, my world turned upside down. It was a beautiful spring day—the flowers were blooming, the sun was shining, and it was my younger daughter’s junior prom. Everything felt perfect until I received the worst news of my life: I was diagnosed with lung cancer.

I was 53 years old, healthy, and ready for the next chapter of my life. I didn’t smoke, ate well, stayed active, and had no family history of lung cancer. Other than feeling a little tired—like many of us do—and experiencing mild back discomfort, I felt fine. I blamed the discomfort on an old mattress or my desk job. There was no clear reason for my diagnosis, which made it all the more shocking.

Thankfully, my doctor’s diligence and investigative nature led to testing that uncovered the cancer early. By sheer coincidence, my lung cancer was discovered before it could spread beyond my lungs. I was diagnosed with Stage IB Adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.

Because it was caught early, the cancer was operable. I underwent a lobectomy, which removed part of my lung. Genetic testing revealed I was EGFR-positive. According to the American Lung Association, EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is a protein that helps cells grow. A mutation in the EGFR gene can cause cells to grow uncontrollably, leading to cancer. EGFR-positive lung cancer represents about 10-15% of lung cancers in the United States, and it typically occurs in people with little to no smoking history.

Today, I am fortunate to be on a targeted therapy which helps prevent the cancer from returning. However, targeted therapies like this are not effective indefinitely. That’s why research is so critical—improving diagnostic techniques and developing new therapies are vital for patients like me.

This diagnosis changed my life forever. I believe my guardian angel was watching over me, and I want my story to inspire others to take action. Talk to your doctor about early lung cancer screening, even if you think you’re healthy or don’t have risk factors.

Let my journey—and this message—be a sign from your guardian angel too.

You know my story. Now, go get tested.