Dr. Bryant Lin, a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, is taking a different approach to his cancer diagnosis. He was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. After experiencing a persistent cough, he had an X-ray performed on his chest. By the time of his diagnosis, the cancer had spread to his bones, liver, skin and brain. Incidentally, he was never a smoker.
So what does one do when faced with such a harrowing prognosis? Dr. Lin decided to teach a course at Stanford and walk his students through his lung cancer journey. They can experience first-hand the diagnosis and treatment. He had already been advocating for stronger research into lung cancer before his diagnosis. He is the co-founder of Stanford’s Center for Asian Health Research and Education: https://asianhealth.stanford.edu/
While screening is recommended for high risk individuals, an area of interest for Dr. Lin is the rising number of lung disease patients who have never smoked. While screening can find lung cancer before any symptoms arise, one of the main variables for screening includes those who currently smoke or used to smoke. Yet, lung cancer among non-smoking Asian American men and women is rising by 2% annually according to data from Stanford Medicine.
Other risk factors according to Stanford Medicine include:
Exposure to cancer-causing substances including asbestos, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, coal smoke, diesel fumes, nickel, silica, and soot
Personal history of other cancers such as lymphomas (cancer of cells that are part of the immune system), head and neck, or esophageal cancers
Personal or family history of lung cancer
History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis
On May 15, 2015 Dr. Bryant Lin will be hosting an event at Stanford and he will share his documentary about his personal journey with Stage IV lung cancer. There will be a panel of physicians and others to discuss the lung cancer trajectory in Asian Americans.
The event will be held at the Stanford Health Library from 6:00-7:30 p.m. For more information please visit: