Young Lung Cancer Initiative Podcast

Michael Blackstone thought he was dealing with a shoulder problem. Testing led to a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis.
In this episode of Patient Conversations with Leah Phillips, Michael shares his experience of getting diagnosed, living on daily targeted therapy, and facing progression and treatment decisions. They talk about the impact on caregivers, the emotional weight of taking a pill every day, and why Michael decided to share his story publicly.
Michael also reflects on how cancer changed his plans, his relationships, and what he no longer takes for granted.
In this episode
From shoulder pain to a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis
Telling family and adjusting plans for the future
The impact of cancer on caregivers
Living with targeted therapy and daily medication
Progression, radiation, and treatment uncertainty
Sharing his story publicly and finding community
Chapters
00:00 Preview
00:22 From shoulder pain to a stage 4 diagnosis
01:39 How Michael got the news
05:29 Telling his wife and family
06:19 How cancer changed his plans
12:07 What he no longer takes for granted
13:34 The impact on caregivers
18:07 Living with targeted therapy
23:28 The emotional weight of daily medication
26:31 Deciding to share his diagnosis publicly
31:09 Why patient stories matter
33:23 Awareness, funding and stigma
34:46 Progression, radiation and uncertainty
41:16 His perspective on stage 4
44:07 How stage 4 is portrayed
47:30 Difficult conversations about the future
49:55 Community and advocacy
52:58 Closing thoughts and YLCI resources
Get involved in Humans of Lung Cancer
This November, Young Lung Cancer Initiative, EGFR Resisters and Oncogene Cancer Research are sharing the people and lives behind the diagnosis. Share your story, create a card or add a campaign profile frame:
https://humans-of-lung-cancer.web.app/
About Young Lung Cancer Initiative
Young Lung Cancer Initiative (YLCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting young adults affected by lung cancer and their families through education, advocacy, research and community resources.
Learn more: https://ylci.org/
Resource Directory: https://ylci.org/resource-directory/
Join the free YLCI Circle: https://ylci.org/join-the-ylci-circle/
Faces of YLC: https://ylci.org/faces-of-ylc/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/younglungcancer
Donate: https://ylci.org/donate/
Medical disclaimer
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The stories and information shared reflect individual experiences. Every diagnosis, treatment plan and outcome is different, and what you hear may not apply to your situation. Always consult your oncologist or another qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health or treatment.

Aurora's journey from misdiagnosis to stage four lung cancer diagnosis highlights the challenges and emotional impact of survivorship. The delayed diagnosis, treatment options, and the emotional toll of progression are key themes in her story. Aurora Lucas shares her journey of being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, her experience with radiation treatment, and the emotional impact of the diagnosis. She also discusses the impact of the diagnosis on her future plans, fertility, and the importance of advocacy in the lung cancer community.

Takeaways
Resilience
Delayed Diagnosis Radiation treatment and the emotional toll of a stage four lung cancer diagnosis.
The impact of the diagnosis on future plans, fertility, and the importance of advocacy in the lung cancer community.

Chapters
00:00 The Misdiagnosis
01:16 Navigating Symptoms and Seeking Answers
12:22 The Impact of Stage Three Diagnosis
26:14 Progression to Stage Four
31:39 Diagnosis and Treatment
33:32 Impact on Future Plans and Fertility
45:42 Advocacy and Community Support

About Young Lung Cancer Initiative
Young Lung Cancer Initiative (YLCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting young adults and people without a smoking history who are affected by lung cancer. Through education, advocacy, research, and community resources, YLCI works to increase awareness, improve understanding, and ensure that no one faces young lung cancer alone.
Learn more: https://ylci.org
Resource Directory: https://ylci.org/resource-directory/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/younglungcancer
Donate: https://ylci.org/donate/

Medical disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The stories and information shared reflect individual experiences. Every diagnosis, treatment plan, and outcome is different, and what you hear may not apply to your situation. Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or advice from your medical team. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you heard here. Always consult your oncologist or another qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health or treatment.

Mayya also shares the reality of living with metastatic lung cancer while raising two young children. She discusses working with a child life specialist, explaining cancer to a preschooler in age-appropriate language, and why she chooses to let her children see some of the difficult emotions that come with cancer.

Finally, Mayya and Leah discuss early progression and short responders, why patients who progress earlier than expected can feel isolated even within the lung cancer community, the need for greater research and attention to this population, and the many different ways patients and families can participate in lung cancer advocacy.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Early Progression & Becoming a Short Responder
00:14 Mayya’s Lung Cancer Update
01:35 Finding Out Her Cancer Had Progressed
03:08 Second Opinions & Testing for Resistance
05:02 When Chemotherapy Became the Next Step
09:04 Living With Stage IV Lung Cancer & Uncertainty
10:55 Talking to Young Children About Cancer
17:34 Early Progression, Short Responders & Advocacy

Mayya previously shared her lung cancer story with YLCI in a three-part series, including her diagnosis with stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer at age 39, starting targeted therapy, navigating treatment as a young adult and mother, and seeking expert care.

Medical disclaimer: All content on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The stories and information shared reflect individual experiences; every diagnosis, treatment plan, and outcome is different, and what you see here may not apply to your situation. Nothing on this channel is a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or advice from your own medical team. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you watched here. Always consult your oncologist or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment.

Is it menopause... or the cancer treatment? Brain fog, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, joint pain, mood changes, sleep problems... many of these symptoms can be caused by menopause, lung cancer treatment, or both. So how can women tell the difference?

Dr. Narjust Florez, thoracic oncologist and co-director of the Young Lung Cancer Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Taryn join YLCI's Leah for an evidence-based conversation about navigating perimenopause and menopause during and after lung cancer treatment.

This episode covers:

✔️ How to tell whether symptoms are menopause, cancer treatment, or both
✔️ Why young women with lung cancer can experience early menopause
✔️ Hormone testing and when it may be helpful
✔️ Is hormone replacement therapy safe after a lung cancer diagnosis?
✔️ Vaginal estrogen, hot flashes, and non-hormonal treatment options
✔️ Finding a menopause specialist who understands cancer care
✔️ Protecting bone health, heart health, skin, hair, and sexual health
✔️ Acupuncture, exercise, and other evidence-based supportive care
✔️ Why you don't have to suffer through menopause alone

⏱️ Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:36 Menopause or Cancer Treatment?
2:45 Hormone Replacement Therapy
6:03 Finding a Menopause Specialist
7:43 Feeling Like Yourself Again
11:58 Wellness Clinics & Hormones
14:01 Hormone Testing
15:03 Long-Term Health After Menopause
17:47 Final Advice

🔗 Young Lung Cancer Program at Dana-Farber: https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-care/treatment/cancer-care-programs/young-lung-cancer-program

🔗 YLCI Resource Directory: https://ylci.org/resource-directory/

🤍 Young Lung Cancer Initiative | https://ylci.org

Medical disclaimer: All content on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your oncologist or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment.

Is it safe to have sex during lung cancer treatment? How do you handle body image after surgery, scars, or hair loss?? Dr. Narjust Florez and Taryn, who lead the Young Lung Cancer Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, join YLCI's Leah for an open, judgment-free conversation covering sex, intimacy, body image, and contraception after a lung cancer diagnosis.

This episode covers:
✔️ Why sexual health gets overlooked in oncology visits
✔️ What "sexual health" actually includes (it's not just intercourse)
✔️ Is it safe to have sex during chemo, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy?
✔️ Loving your body after surgery, scars, and treatment side effects
✔️ Performance anxiety and body image — for men too
✔️ Safest birth control & contraception options during cancer treatment
✔️ How to normalize these conversations with your care team

⏱️ Chapters:
0:00 Sexual Health & Cancer Care
1:23 Redefining Sexual Health
4:01 Safety During Treatment
5:50 Loving Your New Body
8:21 Body Image & Performance Pressure
11:47 Contraception & Birth Control Options
18:34 Normalizing the Conversation

🔗 Young Lung Cancer Program at Dana-Farber: https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-ca...
🔗 YLCI Resource Directory: https://ylci.org/resource-directory/
🔗 https://www.dana-farber.org/newsroom/news-releases/2022/sexual-dysfunction-high-among-women-with-lung-cancer

🤍 Young Lung Cancer Initiative | https://ylci.org

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LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/young-lung-cancer-initiative
Donate: https://ylci.org/donate/

Young Lung Cancer Initiative's work is made possible by the support of our Mission Support Partners: Johnson & Johnson, Nuvation Bio, and Boehringer Ingelheim.

YLCI retains full editorial control over all content, which is produced independently of our partners.

Medical disclaimer: All content on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The stories and information shared reflect individual experiences; every diagnosis, treatment plan, and outcome is different, and what you see here may not apply to your situation. Nothing on this channel is a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or advice from your own medical team. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you watched here. Always consult your oncologist or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment.