Meet Dr. Michael Weitz, an emergency medicine physician practicing in the Los Angeles area. In the fall of 2006, he went to his internist to track down why swallowing cold liquids was uncomfortable. The doctor thought he might have a pre-ulcer condition, but a scope showed nothing.
A follow-up chest X-ray showed a small abnormality, so Dr. Weitz ordered a CT scan for himself. The lung specialist who looked at the CT scan wasn’t concerned, telling Dr. Weitz he was too young for cancer, and as a lifelong non-smoker, his risk was low. Still concerned that something was wrong, Dr. Weitz pushed for a second opinion. When he was finally diagnosed with lung cancer, he was told he had 3-6 months to live.
Dr. Weitz was treated with chemotherapy and radiation, and his left lung was removed. The cancer spread to his brain and bones, which meant more radiation. He ended up putting together an oncology team that included a university-affiliated oncologist with access to clinical trials, and two additional oncologists to consult with and do testing. Dr. Weitz encourages all patients to get a second opinion when facing a lung cancer diagnosis. “Good doctors embrace second opinions rather than discouraging them,” he says.
In Support of Clinical Trials
Enrolled in his third successful clinical trial, Dr. Weitz takes simple-to-take oral medicines that are going directly after the cancer tumors. As a result, Dr. Weitz is a huge supporter of clinical trials. “There is no advancement in research without clinical trials,” he says, “I owe my life to targeted therapies and personalized medicine.”
Now embarking upon being a 10-year, stage 4 lung cancer survivor, Dr. Weitz, is back to work these days in emergency medicine.
Dr. Weitz is a valued member of LCFA’s Scientific Advisory Board with leading lung cancer researchers in the United States and Canada. He works as an advocate for lung cancer patients and increased funding for lung cancer therapy research.
