My Lung Cancer Story
Lisa Haines sets out to dismantle stigmas and encourage community.
My name is Lisa Haines, and I’m a 67-year-old wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, and “Nanni” to three granddaughters. I’m also a lung cancer survivor and advocate.
In March 2015, at 56, I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer with a brain metastasis. I’ve been stable with no evidence of disease (NED) for years, but I still live scan to scan, and the uncertainty never fully fades.
Finding My Community
When I was diagnosed, I knew little about lung cancer and struggled to understand the disease, treatment options, and how to find the right care. Over time, I found my place in the lung cancer community, and that changed everything. Today, I’m surrounded by lung cancer sisters and brothers who understand this journey, and I’m grateful to the LiveLung Community for its support, education, and hope.
My Greatest Inspirations
My greatest inspirations are my granddaughters—Harper, Hazel, and Haven—all born after my diagnosis. Watching my family grow and becoming their “Nanni” has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. I hope for many more years with them. Their love gives me endless reasons to keep fighting.
Holding Onto Hope
Hope has carried me through. More than 10 years after my diagnosis, I’m deeply grateful for research and clinical trials that have made long-term survival possible for people like me.
Shattering the Stigma
Lung cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age or smoking history. Radon, environmental factors, and genetics can all play a role.
No one deserves lung cancer, and no one should feel shame or blame. Early detection matters because, when found early, lung cancer can sometimes be curable.
Lessons Learned
This journey has taught me to live each day fully, cherish the people I love, and savor every good moment.
WHy i share my story
Sharing our stories spreads awareness, education, and hope for newly diagnosed patients. We also need more education about radon testing, symptoms, and screening.
In my case, I had no symptoms. My cancer was discovered only after a sudden neurological episode led to a CT scan that revealed a brain tumor and, ultimately, lung cancer.
That’s why I say, “All it takes is lungs.” Lung cancer can affect anyone, and it remains the leading cause of cancer death.
I share my story to remind others that there is life after a lung cancer diagnosis—with hope, community, and purpose.
Editor’s note: Lisa is an alumnus of the AACR Scientist↔Survivor Program®. This special educational program is held during the AACR Annual Meeting. It is designed to build enduring partnerships among the leaders of the scientific, cancer survivor, and patient advocacy communities worldwide. Learn more about the AACR Scientist↔Survivor Program®.
Whether you are a patient, survivor, caregiver, or loved one touched by cancer, your story can have an enormous impact. You can provide hope and inspiration to someone recently diagnosed with cancer or a patient undergoing therapy.
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Learn about physician-scientists and cancer researchers like Fellow of the AACR Academy Lewis C. Cantley, PhD, who are driving progress against cancer.
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