Hope With Answers: Living With Lung Cancer

Veterans on the Front Lines: How Screening Saved One Life and Powers Tomorrow's Cures

Our nation's Veterans are on the front lines of a new fight: advocating for lung cancer screening and powering the next wave of research using blood tests to screen for lung cancer. Air Force and Navy Veteran Donnita Butler shares how a simple low-dose CT scan saved her life after she advocated for screening despite initial pushback. Alongside Dr. Drew Moghanaki, a leading expert in Veterans' lung cancer care, they reveal how today's VA screening programs are catching cancer early when it's most curable—and how thousands of Veterans are donating blood to help develop tomorrow's breakthrough detection methods. Key Topics Discussed: * Why Veterans face higher lung cancer risk due to toxic exposures (asbestos, burn pits, Agent Orange) * How the VA's new screening policy is saving lives by systematically identifying at-risk Veterans * The simple 3-minute screening process that can catch lung cancer at its earliest, most curable stage * Exciting research on blood-based biomarker tests that could detect cancer even before it shows on scans * How Veterans can access screening through the PACT Act and VA healthcare * The importance of biomarker testing and clinical trials in personalized treatment Featured Guests: Donnita Butler [https://lcfamerica.org/story/how-lung-cancer-screening-saved-my-life/]: Air Force and Navy Veteran diagnosed with stage 1A lung cancer through screening, now thriving at 70 Dr. Drew Moghanaki [https://lcfamerica.org/dr-drew-moghanaki-joins-lcfa-scientific-advisory-board/]: Veterans Health Administration lung cancer specialist leading screening initiatives and biomarker research Key Takeaway: Lung cancer is curable if caught early. If you're a Veteran over 50 with a smoking history, talk to your doctor about screening today. As Dr. Moghanaki says: "Leave no one behind." Show Notes [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Veterans-on-the-Front-Lines-Show-Notes.pdf] | Transcript [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HWA-Transcript-Veterans-on-the-Front-Lines.pdf] | Watch Video Veteran Resources Mentioned in This Episode: * PACT Act Benefits & Eligibility - Expanded VA health care & benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/ [https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/]  * VA Lung Cancer Screening (Free LDCT Screening for Eligible Veterans) Learn more and talk to your VA provider: https://www.prevention.va.gov/preventing_diseases/screening_for_lung_cancer.asp [https://www.prevention.va.gov/preventing_diseases/screening_for_lung_cancer.asp] * Airborne Hazards & Burn Pit Registry Document deployment exposures and stay informed about related health concerns. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp [https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp] Subscribe to Hope With Answers Living With Lung Cancer for more inspiring stories and breakthrough research updates. Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-with-answers-living-with-lung-cancer/id1234567890] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/xxxxx] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/xxxxx] | iHeart [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/xxxxx] Join LCFA's social media communities for support and information. Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/lcfamerica] | Twitter [https://twitter.com/lcfamerica] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lcfamerica] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/lcfamerica] #LungCancer #VeteransHealth #CancerScreening #EarlyDetection #VAHealthcare #PACTAct #ClinicalTrials #BiomarkerTesting #HopeWithAnswers #LCFA

Breakthrough Treatments for Small Cell Lung Cancer: Hope Through Clinical Trials

Small cell lung cancer was once considered one of the most challenging diagnoses in oncology. But today, groundbreaking treatments are transforming patient outcomes and rewriting survival stories. Discover how immunotherapy, T-cell engagers, CAR T-cell therapy, and antibody drug conjugates are moving from clinical trials to standard care, offering patients years of disease control and genuine hope for the future. Featuring insights from Dr. Jacob Sands, thoracic oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and inspiring patient advocate Wendy Brooks, who shares her powerful journey from early detection through cutting-edge clinical trials, proving that advocacy and hope can change everything. Guests: Dr. Jacob Sands, Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute [https://www.dana-farber.org/find-a-doctor/jacob-sands] Courtney Mantz, Program Manager II, SCLC Program, Dr. Sands’ Assistant. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology Wendy Brooks, Patient Advocate [https://lcfamerica.org/speaker-profile/wendy-brooks/] Show Notes [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/EP-25-2-SCLC-Treatment-Breakthrough-Show-Notes.pdf] | Transcript [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/EP-25-SCLC-Treatment-Breakthrough-Transcript.pdf] | Watch Video [https://youtu.be/jT4rGSKWboA]

Early Detection: The Key to Surviving Lung Cancer

Early detection of lung cancer can save lives. In this essential episode, two-time survivor and LCFA co-founder David Sturges shares how screening helped him beat lung cancer—twice. Joined by Dr. Denise Aberle and LCFA-funded researcher Dr. Kellie Smith, this episode dives into why lung cancer is often diagnosed late, what new screening methods can do to change that, and what the future of early treatment might look like. Guests David Sturges, Lung Cancer Survivor & LCFA Co-founder [https://lcfamerica.org/about-us/founders/]  Dr. Denise Aberle [https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/denise-aberle], Thoracic Radiologist, UCLA Medical Center Kellie Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University & LCFA Early Career Researcher [https://lcfamerica.org/researcher/kellie-smith-phd/] Show Notes [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LCFA-Episode-05-Show-Notes.pdf] | Transcript [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Rerelease-Early-Detection-Transcript.pdf]

Supporting Caregivers: Real Stories and Expert Advice on Lung Cancer Caregiving

Shining a light on the caregiving journey for lung cancer patients, Dr. Allison Applebaum, founder of the Caregiver’s Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and caregiver Gail Fackler, along with her husband, Jim, speak candidly about the mental health challenges caregivers face, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The conversation covers the overwhelming realities of caregiving, from managing medical decisions to coping with guilt and loss of identity. Gail and Jim share raw, honest stories about how caregiving has transformed their lives and relationships. Practical strategies for caregivers—such as task management, setting boundaries, and finding support networks—offer hope and guidance. Learn more about the  critical importance of mental health support for caregivers and the power of community in navigating this journey. Guests Dr. Allison Applebaum, Founding Director, Caregiver’s Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Gail and Jim Fackler, Lung Cancer Caregivers and Patient   Show Notes [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/EP-25-1-Caregiving-Show-Notes.pdf] | Transcript [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Transcript_-Supporting-Caregivers.pdf] | Watch Video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47oJB9j4W1A]

The Hidden Battle: Lung Cancer Stigma and the Power of Speaking Up

In this special re-release of Hope With Answers, lung cancer advocate Jill Feldman tackles a challenge that most patients never see coming—stigma. Originally aired in January 2020, this candid and emotional episode sheds light on the damaging assumptions patients face and how words can wound, even when well-intentioned. From doctors and friends to complete strangers, the first question many patients hear is: “Did you smoke?” It's a question that implies blame—and lung cancer survivors like Jill Feldman [https://lcfamerica.org/speaker-profile/jill-feldman/] have heard it far too often. In this episode, Jill teams up with journalist Steven Petrow [https://stevenpetrow.com/] to unpack the emotional toll of these encounters and offer advice on how to respond with grace and strength. You'll also hear from Dr. Alice Berger [https://lcfamerica.org/researcher/alice-berger-phd/], a lung cancer researcher investigating why young, non-smoking women are increasingly being diagnosed with lung cancer. Her work helps shift public perception and challenges outdated assumptions about who gets lung cancer—and why. This episode explores: * The real impact of stigma on lung cancer patients * How language shapes the patient experience * What not to say to someone with lung cancer * How empathy and civility can reshape conversations * Groundbreaking research on lung cancer in non-smokers Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or advocate, this episode will change the way you think—and talk—about lung cancer. Show Notes [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Impact-of-Stigma-Lung-Cancer-Show-Notes.pdf] | Transcript [https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Lung-Cancer-Stigma-The-Things-People-Say-Re-Release-Transcript.pdf] | Watch Video