Lung Cancer Awareness Month
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and doctors say patient involvement may play a key role in helping people feel more confident in their care decisions.
Debra, a 65-year-old lifelong non-smoker from Chandler, Arizona, is living with stage four non-small cell lung cancer.
An avid outdoor enthusiast who has hiked the Grand Canyon rim and long stretches of the Camino Trail, Debra says her diagnosis came as a shock.
After learning she had an advanced form of NSCLC with an EGFR mutation, she turned to her oncologist, Ironwood Cancer & Research Center’s Dr. Azam Farooqui, to understand what her results meant.
Together, they reviewed her options and ultimately decided on a personalized treatment plan that included targeted therapy.
Dr. Farooqui says Debra’s story reflects how open communication and shared decision-making can help shape care.
He encourages patients to speak up about symptoms, ask questions, and discuss their priorities, noting that understanding each person’s goals helps physicians tailor treatment more effectively.
Debra began her current treatment regimen in June 2025 and continues to stay active at work, at church, and outdoors when she feels well enough.
She says her care team and maintaining a positive outlook have helped her navigate life with stage four NSCLC.
