Not many people would look at Jules Fielder and think she has incurable lung cancer. Having just turned 40, the mum from Hastings is about as far away as you can get from what many still perceive to be an ‘average’ lung cancer patient.
But herein lies the problem and the urgent need for us all to stop thinking about lung cancer in such archaic ways in order to speed up diagnosis.
“I feel lung cancer is still very much associated with men, and especially men who smoke or who work with asbestos,” explains Jules.
“It’s a really dangerous misconception because when someone like me goes to the doctor with symptoms, we’re fighting against these stereotypes… and then it’s too late.”
Unknown symptoms
Jules started with a series of what she now knows to be potential lung cancer symptoms – back pain, shoulder pain and a lump in her neck. But it wasn’t until months later that Jules was finally sent for tests.
Jules went on to receive the devastating news that she had stage 4 lung cancer which had spread to her spine and pelvis.
“No one ever joined the dots of my symptoms until it was too late,” continues Jules. “Each symptom was treated individually rather than one potential cause.
“My back pain was treated as sciatica. The pain in my shoulder was thought to be tennis elbow and the lump in my neck was dismissed as a swollen gland.
“I feel these non-respiratory symptoms, coupled with my age and the fact that I had never smoked, is why my lung cancer was caught late.”
Life with incurable lung cancer
Jules is now on a targeted therapy to treat her lung cancer. Dubbing it her magic medicine, Jules is responding well to treatment and is living life the best she can – which includes many wonderful holidays including New York, Mauritius and Rome this year.
But, away from the sunshine and the sights, Jules can’t help but wonder if things could have been different.
“I try and stay as positive as I can,” continues Jules. “I’ve always been passionate about travelling and I’m fortunate that my cancer is stable, and I can continue to explore the world with my husband and son.
“But in the back of my mind, I know it’s temporary. One day, my magic medicine will stop working. As good as this treatment is, it isn’t a cure. My cancer wasn’t caught early enough for that.
“I try not to dwell on that too much because it doesn’t do me any good. But I want my story to help change the narrative and perception of lung cancer.
“I want it to act as a constant reminder that anyone can get this disease because, truly knowing that, could make all the difference to someone else.”
Jules shares her experience as part of our Let Go of the Labels campaign for lung cancer awareness month.