As a non-smoker, main college trainer Natasha Loveridge was shocked when she realized she had stage 4 lung cancer.

The 49-year-old is now campaigning for a nationwide common screening programme.

"We need to put it down in people's consciousness that if you've got lungs, you can get lung cancer," stated Natasha.

"It's raising the profile and getting rid of that stigma as well. I still find myself, even now, saying, 'I've got lung cancer, but I don't smoke!'"

Natasha first suspected one thing wasn't proper when she observed her respiratory had grow to be laboured and she or he gave the impression of she had "swallowed a squeaky dog toy".

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In June of final 12 months, her voice was huskier than regular however the signs quickly light.

Thinking it was nothing greater than a response to emotions of stress, Natasha carried on together with her life.

But when a wierd cough developed in August, Natasha sought medical recommendation from her physician.

Referred to the hospital, an X-ray revealed a life-altering mass on her lung.

Further exams and scans confirmed abnormalities in her lymph nodes had been cancerous.

"When it was first suggested, it was a complete shock. It was like, 'I can't have lung cancer,'" she recalled.

"I am too young, I don't smoke, I don't know people who smoke, I am really fit, I used to run, I do lots of hill walks.

"I experience my bike, I do a great deal of yoga, and I eat predominantly a plant-based diet."

Natasha said: "Whenever I'd go to all these appointments, I used to be the youngest particular person there.

"It was just a shock, and it was complete and utter disbelief. It's like, 'It can't be me.' To be honest, I still think there's a little bit of that in me now."

Natasha was advised her most cancers might need arisen from an EGFR+ gene mutation.

EGFR+ UK defined: "EGFR stands for epidermal growth factor receptor."

The protein is concerned with the expansion and division of wholesome cells, however a mutation can imply the gene is "over expressed".

The charity elaborated: "This can cause cells to grow out of control and lead to cancer."

Targeted therapies work instantly on the lung most cancers cells that categorical the mutation.

As for Natasha, she is decided to reside a full life with the assistance of the cancer-blocking drug, osimertinib.