ALK Positive Lung Cancer UK

This autumn, we shared our 2023 Annual Report, capturing some of our key milestones: hosting the largest ALK+ lung cancer patient conference in the UK, growing regional support, and advocating for earlier diagnosis. It turns out, bringing people together really is our superpower (and we’re grateful to Takeda UK and Ireland for saying so!): “As a proud partner of ALK Positive UK since its inception, Takeda UK and Ireland continues to be impressed with the significant impact this organisation has on the ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer patient and clinical communities in the UK and beyond. Bringing this community together and advocating for the voice of people with this rare type of lung cancer is their superpower, and their Trustee’s Annual Report from 2023 reflects just some of the key work they deliver year on year.” – Danielle Smith, Head of Professional Relations and Patient Advocacy, Oncology, Takeda UK Ltd A huge thank you to Takeda UK and Ireland for their ongoing support and to everyone in the ALK+ community who makes this work possible. You can read our Trustees' Annual Report for 2023 here: https://lnkd.in/ecAFEgHf #NSCLC #PatientAdvocacy #ALKPositive

This is another excellent resource from GatewayC. It highlights the importance of identifying finger clubbing, a clinical sign associated with lung cancer and mesothelioma. Despite its significance, many are unaware of finger clubbing’s presence in lung cancer. This 5-minute Cancer Key offers practical, evidence-based insights and guidance to support earlier diagnoses. 💡 GatewayC provides exceptional, NHS-funded, free resources for GPs, nurses, AHPs, and students. Their Lung Cancer course is a must-see, offering case studies, patient stories, and specialist discussions to empower clinical decision-making. Thank you, GatewayC, for creating such accessible tools to aid early detection.

A pioneering team at Wythenshawe Hospital in South Manchester is amongst the first in Europe to use the Ion robotic probe to transform lung cancer diagnosis. This state-of-the-art tool reaches small, hard-to-access lung spots that traditional biopsies struggle to reach, allowing patients to get answers and start treatment much sooner. Dr. Haval Balata calls it ‘game-changing technology,’ enabling ‘definitive answers’ with less waiting. Early detection is critical—patients diagnosed at the earliest stage are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those diagnosed later. This breakthrough represents a huge step forward in lung cancer care. #EarlyDetection #NSCLC #ALKPositive

Our 2024 Looking back at our posts from this year, it’s a mix of progress, updates, stories, and moments that helped raise awareness and understanding of non-smoking lung cancers. It’s been a privilege to share this with you—bringing the latest developments, stories from our community, and information to keep you up to date. Thank you to everyone who’s followed, shared, or supported us this year—whether you’re living with lung cancer, an advocate, or a healthcare professional. We’d love to hear what you’ve enjoyed and what you’d like to see more of in 2025. #ALKPositive #NSCLC

As 2024 ends, it’s sobering to think that 55,400 people in the UK will have been diagnosed with lung cancer this year. That’s one person every 10 minutes. Lung cancer remains the UK’s biggest cancer killer, but early detection saves lives. Knowing the signs makes a difference: ▪️Persistent cough lasting over 3 weeks ▪️Chest pain, especially with coughing or deep breathing ▪️Unexplained weight loss ▪️Frequent chest infections that don’t clear ▪️Coughing up blood We must stay committed to raising awareness that anyone can get lung cancer and supporting those affected. #LungCancerAwareness #ALKPositive #NSCLC

Wow! Callum Cobb, MBA has done it—12 marathons in 12 months. The final one, in London yesterday, marked the end of an extraordinary journey, raising $20,000 for ALK Positive Lung Cancer UK, Cancer Research and Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. This last run was more than a marathon—36 miles in total—as Callum began in Camberley at the hospice where his mum Brenda spent her final days. At the finish line, loved ones came together to release balloons and sing Que Sera, Sera in Brenda’s memory. “This year has broken my heart, tested every part of me, and shown me the best of people,” Callum said. “Mum always believed in finding a way. That’s what I tried to do—to keep going, even when it felt impossible.” Callum, what you’ve achieved is beyond words. Your incredible strength, devotion to your mum’s memory, and tireless effort have made a lasting impact and brought vital awareness to ALK+ lung cancer. Thank you for everything. 💙

Weight Gain and ALK+ Lung Cancer Treatment: New Insights A new global study has revealed that nearly 1 in 5 people on Alectinib for ALK+ lung cancer experience over 10% weight gain in the first year—significantly more than previously reported. While weight gain is often overlooked, it can have a meaningful impact on quality of life. This highlights the importance of routine monitoring and tailored support for those on treatment. Understanding the full picture of side effects is critical for improving care and ensuring better outcomes for the ALK+ community. Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/eex3-HWw #ALKPositive #LungCancerAwareness

50% of all lung cancer patients and 90% of non-smoking lung cancer patients are diagnosed at a late stage. This can be down to a number of factors: → Lack of early symptoms → Vague/non-specific signs → Limited routine screening → Low awareness → Rapid disease progression ALK+ Lung Cancer UK is committed to campaigning for early diagnosis and to raising awareness that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer regardless of their age or smoking history. Finding lung cancer early saves lives. NB. The stat ‘85% of UK ALK+ patients are diagnosed at stage 4’ is based on data from ALK+ UK’s community. #earlydiagnosis #LungCancerDiagnosis #ALKPositveLungCancer

At 33, Stacy’s life changed forever. A never-smoker with no symptoms, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 ALK+ lung cancer after an unrelated scan. She’d been reassured over and over, “It won’t be cancer.” But it was. Coming to terms with her diagnosis was really hard at first, but her treatment is working amazingly, and she’s trying to live as fully as she can. Stacy has just returned from an unforgettable trip to Orlando with her son Henry, who’s 10, her mum Tracey, and her husband Steven. “Right now, I’m focusing on making sure Henry doesn’t just think, ‘Oh, I had a mum that was really poorly,’ but instead, ‘Wow, my mum was amazing, and we did amazing things together.’ I try to say yes as much as I can because one day I may not be able to. I hope my story inspires others to make the most of the time they have, even in difficult circumstances.”

Can music really make a difference in lung cancer care? Research presented at the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer shows it can. Music therapy has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and even pain for individuals with NSCLC. Evidence suggests that listening to music or engaging in music-making activities can lower stress hormone levels, improve emotional wellbeing, and enhance tolerance to treatments like chemotherapy. By incorporating personalised music sessions into care plans, music therapy offers a non-invasive way to improve quality of life for those undergoing treatment.