When Wendy Brooks received her Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) diagnosis in 2023, she faced not only the challenge of limited treatment options but also the opportunity to become a powerful voice for change. Today, as a participant in Lung Cancer Foundation of America’s (LCFA) groundbreaking Small Cell Lung Cancer Speakers Bureau, Wendy transforms her personal journey into vital education for others.
From Multiple Risk Factors to Diagnosis
Wendy’s background includes several lung cancer risk factors—occupational exposure to silica dust during her career with the Department of Transportation, radon in her childhood home, and a smoking history. After losing her father to lung cancer, she began annual low-dose CT screenings in 2018. Five years later, these screenings detected her SCLC—an aggressive form of lung cancer with historically fewer treatment options than other types.
Navigating Limited Treatment Pathways
Unlike many lung cancer patients who benefit from targeted therapies, Wendy initially underwent traditional chemotherapy and radiation. When her cancer later metastasized to her brain, she advocated strongly for innovative treatments beyond standard protocols. “I wanted great medicine. I pushed for new medications and clinical trials,” she explains. This determination led to her receiving breakthrough treatments including antibody conjugate therapy and immunotherapy—approaches previously uncommon for SCLC patients.
A Powerful Voice for the SCLC Community
Wendy’s articulate communication of her experience makes her an ideal representative for LCFA’s pioneering LCFA | LiveLung SCLC Speakers Bureau. As a media-trained speaker, she addresses critical topics including:
- The unique challenges of living with SCLC
- Confronting the smoking stigma associated with lung cancer
- The critical importance of expanded research funding
- How clinical trials provide essential hope for SCLC patients
“A diagnosis like this makes you appreciate every day so much more,” Wendy shares. “Life is fragile and a blessing—make plans, have goals, and hope for tomorrow, but live for today.”
