One Canadian lung cancer patient is encouraging newly diagnosed patients to better understand their treatment options.
In 2019, Beverley Moir was given six months to three years to live after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Up until that day, Moir had always considered herself healthy. As an active non-smoker, the diagnosis came as a huge shock.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed and the leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada. Nearly 70 per cent of cases are diagnosed in a late stage, and fewer than 3 in 10 patients survive 5 years post-diagnosis.
New advancements, including biomarker testing, are helping to change this outlook. Biomarker testing analyzes patient tissue to detect genetic mutations, proteins, and patterns that can guide treatment decisions. This form of precision medicine enables healthcare providers to tailor therapies to each patient, often leading to more effective outcomes and more time with loved ones.
For patients, knowledge is power
For Moir, biomarker testing proved pivotal. It identified treatments that offered her a personalized plan, extending her life well beyond her original prognosis. Now, six years after diagnosis, she credits the testing for giving her more time with her family.
Today, Moir strongly advocates for patients with lung cancer, encouraging anyone diagnosed to feel empowered in their own treatment journey and to ask questions. “Precision medicine is here, it makes a difference, and it’s going to continue to grow and be relevant in treating cancer. It’s the future,” she says.
It’s important that patients understand and advocate for their care and ensure that biomarker testing is conducted. Lung cancer doesn’t discriminate, and despite its common association with smoking, “anyone with lungs can be diagnosed,” says Moir. More importantly, however, she notes, “there’s a lot of hope.”
To learn more about biomarker testing and how the results help with prognosis and tailoring treatments visit RevealYourBiomarker.ca.
Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
