When it comes to lung cancer symptoms, most people would expect to have a persistent cough. For decades, cough campaigns have dominated awareness messages, but the reality is there are many potential symptoms of lung cancer, with some less obvious than others.
As a former GP, Sally Hall from Manchester, was fully aware of the most common signs of lung cancer – shortness of breath, repeat chest infections and, of course, an ongoing cough. So, when Sally started to experience back pain, lung cancer never crossed her mind.
“I had been clearing out the garage,” recalls Sally. “I remember hauling out some crates of old ceramic tiles, so it wasn’t surprising that my back started hurting!
“The pain persisted though, so after a couple of months, I went to my GP and a physio. What happened next felt like a complete bolt out of the blue.”
Lung cancer and bone mets
Tests showed Sally had a tumour in her lung. She also had two spinal mets which were causing her spine to collapse.
Sally required spinal decompression and stabilisation surgery, followed by spinal radiotherapy. During this time, doctors took a biopsy which later confirmed she had a type of lung cancer called EGFR+ with the Exon 19 mutation.
“I was told if untreated, I wouldn’t be here long,” continues Sally. “After my spinal surgery, I started on the targeted therapy, erlotinib (osimertinib was still only in trial stage at this point) and, ten years on, I’m still on the same treatment.
Surgery for stage 4 lung cancer
“My next scans showed the tumour had shrunk significantly and the option of a lobectomy was suggested. This wasn’t usual practice for metastatic disease, but my consultants believed it was right course of treatment for me. Psychologically, for me, it was good for to get rid of the primary.
Ten years on, and Sally’s cancer remains stable. She has learned to manage her disease and the side effects of treatments, as well as sharing her experience to raise much needed awareness.
“Having never smoked, lung cancer was not something that I thought I’d experience,” concludes Sally.
“I have been incredibly fortunate with my treatment – although it feels like I have experienced every possible side effect! There’s also the security of knowing there are other tools in the toolbox should I ever need them, with new breakthroughs coming all the time.
Raising awareness
“It’s incredibly important for me, and others like me, to share their stories. We need to make everyone aware that if you have lungs, you can get lung cancer and equally, even with a late-stage diagnosis like mine, there is still hope.”
“Living with incurable lung cancer changes your world and makes you alter your expectations. I have pretty much every side effect you can imagine – from dry eyes and skin to diarrhoea and crazy hair – but with support I have learned to live with them.
I’ve always been a keen walker and whilst I’d struggle with walking up mountains, I try and find similar pleasures in just standing at the top of a smaller hill or anywhere with a view. Being out in beautiful countryside is my complimentary therapy.”
Sally shares her story as part of our Let Go of the Labels campaign for lung cancer awareness month, which calls for us all to stop thinking about lung cancer in terms of ‘smoker’ and ‘non-smoker’.
Charity chief executive, Paula Chadwick, said: “It is vital we share stories like Sallys, not to point fingers or blame but to help educate and improve everyone’s understanding around lung cancer and its many different symptoms.
“We are so grateful for Sally for sharing her experience and being so honest about not recogising that back pain can be a symptom of lung cancer.
“We understand GPs have a difficult job and the variety and vague of symptoms can make diagnosing lung cancer difficult. That’s why we have to share stories like Sallys to improve awareness so hopefully next time, an unusual symptom like back pain can be picked up sooner.”
If you are concerned about symptoms or would like advice about how to get the most out of your appointment, check out our blog.