How Vigilant Screening (For a Different Disease) Found Alexis’s Stage 3 Lung Cancer
Alexis was only 29 when life threw her an unexpected twist, and she was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer (specifically, a stage 3A neuroendocrine tumor) in July 2022. Before her diagnosis, she experienced symptoms like shortness of breath and a strange need for deep yawns, which she attributed to anxiety. Looking back, she realized that these signs had been quietly lingering since her college days.
Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Chris Sanchez
Alexis’s diagnosis came almost by accident. Concerned about a potential genetic heart condition her father had, she underwent a series of tests. An echocardiogram revealed an abnormality, leading to a CT scan that unveiled enlarged lymph nodes. Despite initial reassurances from her doctor, further tests at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) confirmed the presence of a spot on her lung. A biopsy later confirmed the truth: it was stage 3A rare lung cancer, a neuroendocrine tumor — quite rare and not the usual kind found in the lungs.
Interestingly, since 2019, Alexis had known that she had a BRCA2 gene mutation and had stayed vigilant with screenings for breast and ovarian cancers. The shock, therefore, came from an unexpected corner: her lungs. Despite not having a history of smoking, she fit the profile of rising lung cancer cases among young women. Her assumption leaned towards non-small cell lung cancer, but reality painted a different picture.
Alexis experienced a rollercoaster of emotions when navigating her diagnosis. Initially relieved when told her tumor was a typical carcinoid, she soon faced the complexity of her condition. Her tumor was atypical, sitting on the edge between two classifications. This distinction influenced her treatment options. Surgery was the cornerstone, and despite hopes of lung-sparing measures, she ultimately lost her entire left lung.
Alexis’s recovery from stage 3A rare lung cancer was painful but illuminating. Her breathing improved post-surgery, highlighting symptoms she hadn’t realized were problematic. Facing chemotherapy decisions, she chose a pill regimen over IV treatments, managing side effects like nausea with the support of medication.
Her follow-up scans brought relief: clear results signifying no evidence of disease. But the shadow of uncertainty lingers. Alexis grapples with the fragility of life plans once taken for granted, such as marriage, children, and simple joys like walking and baking. Remarkably, she met her now-husband just five months before her diagnosis, and his unwavering support became a beacon during her darkest days.
Alexis’s story isn’t just about facing stage 3A rare lung cancer; it’s about confronting vulnerability, redefining what a fulfilling life looks like, and relishing the unexpected depths of support from friends and loved ones. Her experience challenges stereotypes about caregiving and emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself amidst life’s unpredictability.
Watch Alexis’s video and learn more about:
- How a routine heart check led her to an unexpected lung cancer diagnosis
- Alexis thought she just had anxiety — until she discovered it was stage 3A rare lung cancer
- What losing a lung taught Alexis about life, love, and breathing easier
- From hypochondria to rare cancer: her surprising health journey
- How Alexis is rewriting her story after her rare lung cancer experience
- Name:
- Alexis C.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 29
- Diagnosis:
- Rare Lung Cancer (Atypical Lung Neuroendocrine Tumor)
- Staging:
- Stage 3A
- Symptoms:
- Intermittent shortness of breath
- Treatments:
- Surgery: lung resection
- Chemotherapy
This interview has been edited for clarity. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make treatment decisions.
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