Husband of lung cancer victim helps raise profile of charity

Steven who is originally from Dunmurry, lives in Wales with wife Jane, a non-smoker and marathon runner, who was diagnosed earlier this year with advanced Lung Cancer at the age of just 43.

She presented no symptoms and it was only when she got an x-ray for an unrelated matter showed that she had a shadow in the right upper lobe of her lung, which ultimately led to her diagnosis.

After further investigations and biopsies, it was confirmed that she was Stage 3b Adenocarcinoma of the lung which had spread to two nodes in her neck.

She completed four bouts of chemotherapy and is now undergoing radiotherapy at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff.

Due to Jane’s age and fitness level is it hoped to use a more radical approach than usual and use the maximum allowable dose where appropriate.

She started treatment in July tries to stay positive.

When she can Jane, would go for a run or bike ride to try to get back in to shape after a hectic summer of tests, appointments and chemotherapy.

Jane had to cancel the Snowdon Marathon, one of the toughest runs in the UK this year - a run that she has already completed three times. When not running Jane also loves walking around the hills in Carmarthenshire.

Steven says, “Jane’s diagnosis came as a complete shock to us.

“She remains very positive.

“Lung Cancer is commonly misunderstood in terms of its symptoms.

“It has a stigma that makes people reluctant to support lung cancer awareness and often it just doesn’t get the extensive media coverage given to other cancers.

“More needs to be done to raise awareness of this disease to help beat this cancer for good.”

He said that when his wife described as the ‘fittest person I know’ was diagnosed it came as a ‘huge shock.’

Jane said, “The support from family and friends, local Macmillan nurses, as well as the online community has been great and so positive and it really makes a difference.

“A positive attitude is the way to go.”

Lung cancer is the number 1 cause of cancer deaths in the UK, accounting for almost 1/4 of all cancer deaths. Despite this, it receives only 7% of cancer research funding in the UK.

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation was set up 20 years ago. For more information go to (www.roycastle.org).