Lung Cancer Was a Death Sentence. Now Drugs Are Saving Lives.

Lung cancer was once a death sentence, but new treatments are giving patients hope and longer lives. Things like quitting smoking, early detection, and new drugs have greatly improved survival rates.

One of the biggest breakthroughs is using drugs that target specific mutations in a tumor’s genes. For example, the drug Lorbrena has helped some patients with a specific mutation live for years. One patient, Matt Hiznay, has been living with lung cancer for nine years thanks to this drug.

Immunotherapy, which helps the body’s immune system fight cancer, is another promising treatment. The drug Imfinzi has significantly extended the life expectancy for some patients with a difficult-to-treat form of lung cancer.

While these advancements are encouraging, there’s still work to be done. Lung cancer is still a leading cause of cancer deaths. Many cases are diagnosed late, and even with treatment, the cancer can return.

Despite the challenges, doctors are optimistic. The progress made in recent years shows that lung cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. New treatments offer hope for longer, healthier lives for patients like Matt Hiznay.