Glenda's story

When Glenda was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in 2014 at just 57 years old, she was in shock. “I had never smoked a day in my life,” Glenda said.

For months, Glenda had been seeking answers. She visited doctors, underwent countless tests, and was misdiagnosed with osteoarthritis. It wasn’t until a family member helped her see a specialist that the truth was uncovered. A full-body scan revealed a tumour on her lung, and her hip had become so compromised due to the cancer metastasising that her leg could break at any moment.

A few weeks later, she received the official diagnosis: stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. She was given just two years to live. But Glenda refused to accept that prognosis. “Something inside me said, ‘No way.’ I am going to fight like a bull.”

Drawing on the resilience she learned as a child after losing both parents, Glenda explored every option to support her body – nutrition, supplements, meditation, and more. She underwent radiation on her leg and had a pin inserted in her hip so she could walk again. At the same time, she began a treatment of Tarceva (Erlotinib) – a daily tablet, which targets a specific mutation associated with a subset (approximately 10-15%) of lung cancer patients. 

“The side effects have been tough – my hair turned into frizz, and I now wear a wig every day. Over the years, I’ve battled severe skin rashes and dryness, but despite it all, I know this treatment has given me more time with my family, and that makes it worth it.”Glenda

“Every three months, I also undergo a CT scan, and every time, I’m reminded of how lucky I am that medical research gave me more time – far more than the two years I was told to expect.”

But Glenda knows that luck shouldn’t be the deciding factor in survival. Early detection is key. More research is essential – not just for better treatments, but to catch cancer before it reaches stage 4.

“I’m grateful for the time research has given me – time to see my grandchildren grow, to spend precious moments with loved ones, and to keep doing the things I love. With continued investment, we can improve early detection, expand life-saving treatments, and maybe one day, prevent cancer entirely.” Glenda

Glenda has beaten incredible odds – globally, only 2-10% of people diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer survive beyond five years. For the vast majority, there simply aren’t enough effective treatment options. 

More research is urgently needed to improve survival rates and give patients like Glenda a fighting chance.