Clair’s update: four years stable on brigatinib with stage 4 ALK+ lung cancer

When Clair first shared her story in 2024, she was a preschool teacher who loved her work and her family. Her back pain was put down to her job in Early Years, and she was sent for physio. She was seen as too young and, because she had never smoked, not at risk. It was only when lumps appeared on her spine in January 2022 that she was sent for an x-ray, which showed the lumps were breaks in her spine. She was diagnosed with stage 4 ALK+ lung cancer that year. Her advice back then was simple: trust your instincts, and if you’re not happy with what you’re told, ask for a second opinion.

Two years on, she’s been stable on the same treatment since the start.

“I have been stable on brigatinib now since February 2022 and have been getting on with living my life and making memories with my family and friends.”

Last year Clair gave up her job in Early Years because she was finding it too tiring. She’s started doing Pilates instead, and it’s really helped with her back pain.

It hasn’t all been easy. Earlier this summer she found out she needed more SRS treatment to her brain, which meant handing back her driving licence a couple of months after getting it back.

“That was really disappointing as I’d only been able to drive again for a couple of months.”

She’s kept hold of the things that keep her going: a family holiday in Spain, weekends away in the UK, and a small treat after every scan and set of results.

Clair has also started making small frames with positive messages, selling them to raise money for cancer charities when she can. At home, she has seven cats to keep her company.

And she’s clear about what she wants to do next.

“Going forward I want to continue raising awareness of lung cancer in young people, and that anyone with lungs can get cancer sadly.”

Clair’s back pain was blamed on her job. Four years later, she’s still telling people to push for answers.