Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Cancer patient advocate Jill Feldman describes how cancer patients are often forced to navigate a fragmented healthcare system while they are physically and emotionally at their most vulnerable. She emphasizes that patients must juggle appointments, information, decisions, and daily life responsibilities all at once, often without adequate coordination or support. This experience highlights how overwhelming care management can become when systems are not designed around the realities of serious illness.

Jill discusses the importance of educating patients about biomarker-driven treatment and how test results directly influence treatment options. Jill explains that the waiting period for biomarker results can be emotionally heavy, as it determines the direction of care and next steps. This uncertainty can add significant stress at a time when patients are already coping with a new or evolving diagnosis.

Jill talks about how treatment side effects can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life and ability to stay on therapy. She stresses the value of anticipating side effects and being open with the healthcare team about what patients are experiencing. She also encourages patients to discuss expected side effects with their care team before treatment begins so they feel prepared and supported.