In recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we offer this edition of CONQUER: the patient voice featuring several articles dedicated to patients coping with a lung cancer diagnosis. I am happy to report that patients with lung cancer have more treatment options available to them than ever before, and research is teaching us a lot more about lung cancer biology. Although this is certainly good news, I appreciate that it doesn’t make the prospect of a diagnosis any easier. Having been on the receiving end of a diagnosis myself, I realize that cancer can essentially hijack your life. What I can tell you is that you have an opportunity to retain your power. Get informed, get involved in your treatment decisions, and take control of the things you can. With this issue of CONQUER magazine, we endeavor to empower you by offering articles authored by nurses on the front lines of patient care.
You will read information intended for the newly diagnosed as well as those who have been living with cancer in our articles “What Do I Need to Know? A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Person with Lung Cancer” and “Living with a Cancer Diagnosis: Coping Strategies for a Better Quality of Life.”
Wherever you are in the course of your survivorship, I hope you have the courage to participate in decisions related to your care. This topic is addressed in our article “Confidently Taking a Seat at the Table: Participating in Treatment Shared Decision-Making.”
I encourage you to take control of the things in your life that you can. A great example of one such area is your diet. We offer 2 articles that will motivate you: “Nourish to Flourish: Nutrition During a Lung Cancer Diagnosis” and “The Role of Diet in Managing Treatment-Related Side Effects for Patients with Lung Cancer.” Both articles offer tips and recipes for an empowered and nutritious survivorship.
You’ll find additional information about treatments and strategies to stay on track with oral medications.
I applaud you for your courageousness. A cancer diagnosis and the resulting life course can be extremely difficult, to say the least, but I believe you can affect your life for the better by regaining your control. I hope this issue of CONQUER magazine helps you to do just that.