Catherine was diagnosed with stage 4 ROS1+ lung cancer in her 30s

Understanding my lung cancer diagnosis and knowing I had treatment options has made all the difference

I’m Catherine, 45, and I’ve always been careful about my fitness and diet, so being told I had lung cancer was a complete shock.

I was diagnosed in 2018 with stage 4 ROS1+ lung cancer after having a persistent cough. When I first heard “ROS1+”, it sounded more like a Wi-Fi password than a diagnosis, but strangely enough it was good news - it meant my cancer could be treated with a daily targeted therapy. It’s a small, odd-looking pill, but it keeps my cancer in check and lets me live a near-normal life.

For me, self-care means eating well and staying active. I’ve learned that knowledge really is power. Understanding my diagnosis and knowing I had treatment options has made all the difference.

"All you need is love. But to get lung cancer all you need is lungs. Shocking right?" - Catherine