Despite his growing symptoms and multiple visits to doctors, Liam was never referred for a chest x-ray
A 36-year-old non-smoking man was not a typical lung cancer patient. Liam Handley, the fit and young resident of Derbyshire was diagnosed with anxiety and also prescribed medications to curb his chest pains, palpitations, and stress.
“I don’t think lung cancer was ever considered,” Liam’s mother Lynn told The Sun. “He didn’t fit the stereotype. He was young, healthy, and didn’t smoke. And herein lies the problem,” she added.
However, despite his growing symptoms and multiple visits to doctors, he was never referred for a chest x-ray. But slowly his pain also got severe till one day he was rushed to the emergency services when his family thought he was having a heart attack.
A detailed investigation then found blood clots in his lungs, but cancer was still not suspected. Meanwhile, Liam’s symptoms still persisted and worsened over time. He also began experiencing pain in his shoulders and lower back, for which he was prescribed stronger painkillers.
A private CT scan found Liam's cancer
It was not until he paid for the private CT scan that Liam got the devastating correct news that confirmed he had lung cancer, which had already spread to his liver, spine, and lymph nodes.
His family was devastated and angry. “We were also so angry," said Lynn. "It had taken so long—around nine months—to get the diagnosis. These were all precious months that could have made a difference to Liam’s prognosis and given us more time with our beautiful boy,” she said.
Liam suffered from genetically mutated lung cancer
Further tests revealed that Liam had a genetically mutated form of lung cancer called adenocarcinoma EGFR Exon 19 positive—a type that affects people with little to no history of smoking. He was restricted to lying flat, unable to sit up more than 30 degrees, and was not allowed to leave his bed.
Despite proper treatment, which includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy radiation, and surgery, Liam passed away in 2021 after his cancer had become terminal.
Lung cancer among non-smokers
According to experts, seven out of 10 cases of lung cancer are of those who have never smoked in life. However, it is still possible to develop lung cancer even if you are off tobacco.
The Cancer Research UK statistics say up to 14 per cent of people with lung cancer in the country have never smoked.
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer
Most nonsmokers have no early signs of lung cancer, which means they are often not diagnosed until it has spread. A few signs that cannot be missed are:
- A cough that does not go away
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Wheezing
- Coughing up blood
- Hoarseness
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Shoulder pain
- Swelling in the face, neck, arms, or upper chest
- Small pupil and drooping eyelid in one eye with little or no sweating on that side of your face
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