Stage 4 Lung Cancer Story 2025: Mike Smith’s Inspiring Journey and Advocacy

When I was diagnosed with stage 4 EGFR-positive lung cancer in 2016, I never imagined the incredible journey ahead — full of challenges, growth, and connections that have shaped my life profoundly.

Since then, I’ve faced difficult health battles, including a collapsed lung, five brain metastases, and a craniotomy to remove a brain tumor. I underwent multiple radiation sessions, tumor ablation back surgery, and various lung procedures.

My treatment path included participation in clinical trials and trying several targeted therapies, which have helped manage the disease.

Beyond treatment, I’ve traveled nationwide attending lung cancer conferences and joining patient advocacy groups. Along the way, I’ve met dedicated medical experts and resilient patients who I proudly call my lung cancer family.

Early Warning Signs and Diagnosis

In the summer of 2016, I experienced unusual breathing spasms, chest tightness, and pain that my usual asthma inhaler couldn’t relieve. Despite my history of exercise-induced asthma since 1982, these symptoms felt different.

Initially, my doctor thought it was nothing serious, but after a sudden severe chest pain one night, I sought further medical advice.

Switching doctors led to a chest X-ray that revealed a mass on my right lung. Although I had never smoked, I learned that up to 20% of lung cancer patients in the U.S. are nonsmokers.

A PET scan confirmed stage 4 EGFR-positive lung cancer, with a concerning prognosis. Shortly after, an MRI detected a brain tumor near my right ear.

Sharing the diagnosis with my children was heart-wrenching, but I focused on staying strong for them, creating moments of comfort and reassurance.

My Treatment Journey

My treatment began with radiation targeting spinal and brain tumors, alongside the targeted oral drug Gilotrif (afatinib). While initially effective, complications like radiation pneumonitis and brain swelling required further intervention.

In 2017, I underwent a craniotomy, which helped me recover enough to resume daily activities quickly.

By late 2018, new symptoms led to additional testing revealing a cancer mutation, prompting a switch to a clinical trial drug that reduced tumor size significantly. However, new brain metastases emerged, leading to my current third targeted therapy, under which I am doing well.

Building Community and Advocating for Change

Connecting with others affected by lung cancer has been vital for learning, support, and advocacy. I mentor newly diagnosed patients and collaborate with survivor networks and medical professionals dedicated to advancing lung cancer research.

Lung cancer affects people from all backgrounds, smokers and nonsmokers alike, so self-advocacy is crucial. If you experience symptoms like chest pain or wheezing, seek medical advice promptly and consider low-dose CT scans for early detection, which greatly improves survival rates.

Despite being the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., lung cancer research remains underfunded. Participation in clinical trials is essential to discover better treatments and improve outcomes for future patients.

Getting involved in awareness campaigns, fundraising, and research efforts can help shift lung cancer from a terminal diagnosis to a manageable and curable condition.

Mike Smith, a stage 4 lung cancer patient advocate, lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina, with his wife and three children. As of 2024, he continues treatment, works full time, and actively supports lung cancer communities through multiple organizations including the American Lung Association, Lungevity, and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.

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