At the end of 2020, at the age of 57, British Melanie Erwin sought a doctor because she believed she had long Covid, a condition following coronavirus infection whose main symptoms are fatigue and brain fog. Feeling very tired, the woman, who never smoked, is vegetarian and takes regular yoga classes, believed that something was wrong with her own health.
The doctor ordered an X-ray, and the exam revealed a mass in his left lung. After a biopsy, Melanie was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of the disease.
“People tend to be very surprised when I tell them what type of cancer I have. They look at me and my very healthy lifestyle and cannot understand how I have this disease”, he says, in an interview with The Mirror newspaper.
Melanie had chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, but new nodules were identified in 2022. They were too small to biopsy, but they grew and in March 2024, doctors discovered that the tumors are cancerous and that the cancer is in its last stage .
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Lung cancer is the second most common in men and women in Brazil. According to the National Cancer Institute (Inca), around 13% of all new cases are in organs
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At the end of the 20th century, lung cancer became one of the leading preventable causes of death in the world.
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Smoking is the main cause. Around 85% of diagnosed cases are associated with the consumption of tobacco products
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Mortality among smokers is around 15 times higher than among people who have never smoked, while among ex-smokers it is around four times higher.
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Exposure to air pollution, recurrent lung infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis), genetic factors and a family history of lung cancer also favor the development of this type of cancer.
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Other risk factors are: occupational exposure to chemical or physical agents, drinking water containing arsenic, high doses of beta-carotene supplements in smokers and ex-smokers
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Symptoms usually do not occur until the cancer is advanced. However, people in the initial stage of the disease may already have a persistent cough, bloody sputum, chest pain, recurrent pneumonia, extreme tiredness, persistent hoarseness, worsening shortness of breath, decreased appetite and difficulty swallowing.
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The diagnosis of lung cancer is made by evaluating the signs and symptoms presented, family health history and the results of specific tests, such as chest x-ray, computed tomography and lung tissue biopsy.
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For those with disease localized to the lung and lymph nodes, treatment involves radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the same time.
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In patients with distant metastases, treatment is with chemotherapy or, in selected cases, with medication based on targeted therapy.
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Surgery, when possible, consists of removing the tumor with a safety margin, in addition to removing the lymph nodes close to the lung and located in the mediastinum. It is the treatment of choice as it provides better results and control of the disease.
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The diagnosis came as a shock to the British woman, who says, in texts published on a blog, that she believed it was a death sentence and was completely numb when she received the news. Today, she is treated with medication to prevent the development of tumors, but she knows that, at some point, the medicine will stop working.
“My hope is that by then another drug will be available. My goal is to live with stage 4 lung cancer and eventually die with it, not because of it,” he says.
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Oh, right, folks! Buckle up! We’ve got a story here that would make even a hardhearted doctor shed a tear, or at the very least, raise an eyebrow—unless seasoned with a touch of sarcasm, of course!
So, meet Melanie Erwin, a 57-year-old British woman who thought she had long Covid—poor lady. Honestly, if I had a pound for every time someone thought they had long Covid, I’d have enough to fund an entire hospital. But instead of merely dealing with fatigue and brain fog, Melanie finds out, “Surprise! It’s stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer!” Talk about an upgrade you never asked for!
Now, she’s living the dream… of a biopic that no one wants to watch. There’s nothing like thinking you’re on the yoga-loving healthy lifestyle express, only to discover that life poked you in the ribs with a nasty surprise. It’s like ordering a salad and getting a side of doom instead—served cold!
And get this: Melanie, bless her cotton socks, responds to the diagnosis with a mix of disbelief and bewilderment. She’s saying, “People look at me and think, ‘How in heaven’s name could you have this disease?!’” And I’m over here thinking, “Darling, it’s called irony! Have you seen the latest trends in life?” It’s tragically comedic, isn’t it?
After a cocktail of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery—anyone interested in a cocktail recipe?—she ends up with new nodules. You know what that sounds like to me? It’s like the universe saying, “Not today, Melanie! The plot thickens!” That’s right, folks; even her tumors are getting into a sequel game. The diagnosis is more twisted than a Lee Evans jest; it’s the kind where you laugh uncomfortably because you know it’s wrong.
Now, lung cancer isn’t just an oddity reserved for those who puff on a cigarette like it’s a love potion to a destiny of demise. It’s like the universe’s way of saying, “Surprise, I’m coming for the whole class, not just the smokers!” About 85% of cases are linked to smoking, and there’s Melanie ticking all the boxes of a health-conscious citizen: no smoke, a plant diet, and yoga sessions that would put a contortionist to shame.
We dive deeper into the data pool and discover that symptoms don’t typically make an entrance until the main event has already started. Who demands a drawing of “No, thank you, Mr. Lung Cancer”? Symptoms like persistent cough and bloody sputum are the “please wait here” sign before that one serious conversation with your doctor. And let me tell you, the results of that conversation are like ordering the special at a sketchy dive bar—hope you’re ready for what arrives because it’s likely not what you expected!
Now, the good news—if we can go as far as calling it good—is that Melanie isn’t resigned to the idea of curling up and calling it a day. Her mantra? “I want to live with stage 4 lung cancer, not die because of it.” Now, if that’s not the spirit of a champion, I don’t know what is! It’s like entering a boxing ring with stage 4 cancer and declaring you’ll win by decision instead of knockout. Sir, can I have your autograph, please?
Well, let’s give it to her straight: Melanie is bravely facing her reality, playing the long game and enthusiastically looking toward the future, hoping that the pharmaceutical gods will be generous with new treatments. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the NHS’s “brought to you by the letter ‘N’ for ‘never a dull moment’,” it’s that the battle isn’t with the disease alone but the ineptitude of life trying to lead us astray!
So, to sum it all up: healthy lifestyles are fantastic, but they don’t come with a fool-proof warranty. As we laugh and cry through this rollercoaster of a narrative, let us remember to appreciate life—every breath, every day, and definitely every cheeky banter along the way!
Don’t forget to catch up with the latest health editorial. Follow along, and remember: Stay strong, stay cheeky!
And explore how she’s coping with this insidious diagnosis.
**Interviewer:** Melanie, thank you for joining us today. Can you share what went through your mind when you first received your cancer diagnosis?
**Melanie Erwin:** Thank you for having me. When the doctor said “stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer,” I just went numb. It felt like a death sentence, honestly. I was completely unprepared for the news. I thought I was healthy—doing yoga and eating well—so it was a tremendous shock.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that people are often surprised to learn about your diagnosis given your lifestyle. What do you think contributes to that disbelief?
**Melanie Erwin:** It’s interesting, isn’t it? I think many people associate lung cancer with a certain image—usually someone who has smoked heavily or has other risk factors. When they see me, they can’t wrap their heads around the idea that I’m affected by this disease. It challenges their preconceived notions, and honestly, it challenges mine too.
**Interviewer:** You’ve undergone various treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. How did you find the process?
**Melanie Erwin:** It’s been overwhelming, to say the least. Chemotherapy is brutal, and there are times when I felt like giving up, especially when new nodules appeared. But I keep telling myself to take it one day at a time. I’m still holding on to hope that I can manage to live with this cancer, rather than letting it dictate my life.
**Interviewer:** That’s a powerful mindset. You’ve mentioned the importance of hope for new treatments. Can you elaborate on that?
**Melanie Erwin:** Yes, I believe in the advances in medical research. While my current medication may only work for a limited time, I’m hopeful that by then, something new will be available. My goal is to live with stage 4 lung cancer and eventually die with it, not because of it.
**Interviewer:** That’s a beautiful perspective, Melanie. What message would you like to share with others who may be going through similar battles?
**Melanie Erwin:** I would say to never underestimate your body. Just because you feel healthy doesn’t mean you are immune to sickness. Listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and get checked if something feels wrong. And through it all, keep your hope alive. You are not alone in this struggle.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us, Melanie. Your strength is truly inspiring, and your story sheds light on the complexities of cancer, even for those who lead a healthy lifestyle.
**Melanie Erwin:** Thank you for allowing me to share. It’s important to talk about these issues and to keep raising awareness about lung cancer and its unexpected nature.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely. We wish you all the best in your journey, Melanie. Thank you for being such an inspiring voice.