Cancer Matters: November Edition

Welcome to our November Cancer Matters edition! As we observe Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we’re thrilled to bring you insights, both clinically and professionally, as we approach the busy holiday season.

In LEARN, we feature two groundbreaking clinical trials in lung cancer—ADRIATIC for small cell lung cancer, and LAURA for non-small cell lung cancer. These studies hold the potential to transform treatment for specific patient groups, offering hope and new options.

In HEAL, Sami reminds us of the powerful role of breath in supporting our well-being. With simple, accessible exercises, learn how to use your breath to relieve stress, restore energy, and embrace calm, no matter where you are.

Sharon’s INSPIRE focuses on strengthening strategic thinking within your team. By encouraging open-mindedness, critical thinking, and collaborative decision-making, you can empower your team to make more informed and impactful choices.

As the holiday season approaches, Beth’s GROW reminds us of the importance of self-care. Give yourself permission to pause and prioritize your well-being amid the year-end demands. Small moments of rest and mindfulness can go a long way in restoring balance.

We hope this month’s edition leaves you feeling inspired, informed, and ready to embrace the season with purpose. Thank you for being part of the Cancer Matters community!

Learn

Total Health plain language summaries feature a variety of topics presented by expert clinical faculty at our conferences throughout the year, and are designed to facilitate patient engagement and discussion with the cancer care team.

November is lung cancer awareness month, and, for patients facing a lung cancer diagnosis, it’s important to understand there are two main types of lung cancers, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which have different prognoses and treatment modalities. While smoking is one of the major risk factors associated with both types of lung cancer, SCLC is more strongly associated with tobacco use, and is also more aggressive than NSCLC. NSCLC, on the other hand, can occur in both smokers as well as non-smokers, and its growth is often driven by specific molecular alterations, or driver mutations which can be inhibited using targeted therapy. Among the many studies on lung cancer presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the ADRIATIC trial focused on the use of durvalumab immunotherapy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for patients with limited stage SCLC, while the LAURA trial examined the use of osimertinib, a targeted therapy, for patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC having mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFRm). Both of these abstracts have significant implications for current clinical practice in lung cancer.

Click here to read?Dr Matthew Gumbleton discuss results from the ADRIATIC Trial in patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer.?

Click here to read?Dr Wade Iams discuss results from the LAURA Trial in non-small cell lung cancer.

Inspire

Sharon Gill, Executive Coach

Welcome back to Coach’s Corner!

Last month, we explored Energizing Your Team Through Effective Engagement and Motivation Strategies. This month, our focus shifts to Enhancing Strategic Thinking and Decision-Making.

As we move into the end of the year, it's crucial to enhance strategic thinking and decision-making within your leadership team. Business has evolved, and strategic thinking is no longer the domain of only CEOs and top leaders. As such, involving team members at all levels in the decision-making process is now essential.

Adopt a Holistic Perspective: Train your team to consider the current market trends, internal capabilities, and potential risks when making decisions. A comprehensive view ensures a more well-rounded strategy, and more informed choices.

Foster Collaboration: Engage diverse perspectives and expertise to enrich the decision-making process. Collaboration brings fresh insights and identifies blind spots, leading to more robust strategies. It also aids in the development of a stronger and more adaptable team culture.

Promote Critical Thinking: Encourage your team to challenge their previous assumptions and explore alternative solutions. Make the process fun, and part of your team culture. Provide your team with tools and frameworks to analyze data and scenarios, enhancing their ability to make decisions that are both sound and strategic.

Lastly, remember that effective leaders lead by example. Demonstrate and model strategic thinking in your decisions and clearly communicate the rationale behind your choices; your approach sets the tone for the entire team.

Join us in December’s Coach’s Corner, as we explore strategies for setting and achieving impactful goals for the upcoming year. Prepare to start your new year with a clear, and actionable plan!

For more information on professional coaching, DISC assessments, or team training, please visit www.sharongill.com

Heal

Sami Mansfield, Cancer Exercise and Wellness Expert

This month we focus on lung cancer and lung health, and for a moment I’d like us to truly appreciate the healing power that we all have, in our breath. For example, when we feel tension or stress, many of us can recognize the calming effect of a slow, deliberate inhale through your nose, held for a moment, and then let go on a five-count. Try it now. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold it for a beat, then exhale… five, four, three, two, one. Now do it again.

One of the most foundational tools for stress management is breathwork. It sounds simple—almost too simple—yet its power lies in its universality. On average, we take 12 to 18 breaths a minute – that’s up to 400 daily opportunities to reduce our stress, energize our bodies, and focus our minds. Breathing is also something every patient and caregiver can easily access, anytime, anywhere.

An Introduction to Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, encourages full oxygen exchange—trading incoming oxygen for outgoing carbon dioxide—and slows the heartbeat, while stabilizing blood pressure. Individuals with chronic lung conditions can also benefit by strengthening the diaphragm through the targeted breathing.

How to Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing:

1. First, find a comfortable position. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent. If needed, use pillows for added support.
2. Position one hand on your upper chest, and the other on your abdomen, below the ribs.
3. Inhale slowly through your nose, allowing air to fill your lower belly. Keep the hand on your chest still as your belly rises.
4. Exhale gently. Engage your abdominal muscles, drawing them inward as you exhale through pursed lips. Observe as your belly returns to its starting position.

Variation: If lying down is not an option, you can also practice this technique while seated in a chair, but consistency is essential.There are also other breathwork strategies which are simple and accessible, and can provide different benefits. Here are some additional ideas:

1. For relaxation, hold your exhale longer than your inhale. Try inhaling through your nose for three counts, and exhaling, with your mouth open, for five.
2. For energy, take two quick inhales or sips of air through the nose. Exhale comfortably and repeat. Be mindful that doing this too often can make you feel lightheaded, so this is best used as a seated practice, if you are new to breathwork.
3. To create mindfulness, try the yoga breath. Inhale for six counts, hold for seven counts, and exhale for eight counts. Repeat at least three times.
4. To quickly feel some stress relief, take two quick inhales followed by a long exhale. Repeat.
5. You can also use breath to create some happiness! Take a breath in and then make an audible sigh of joy. You will often end up smiling with this one!

There are many other options, including using breathing or mindfulness apps, or trying a practice like yoga nidra, also known as non-sleep deep rest, for more extended breathwork practice. I encourage you to give it a try. In just a few moments a day, we can all breathe better and reduce our feelings of stress and being overwhelmed!

Grow

Beth Conway, Business Coach and Sales Trainer

Finding Balance During the Holidays: Give Yourself Permission to Pause!

As we head into the holiday season, the demands on our time always seem to increase exponentially. Balancing our work responsibilities, our relationships with colleagues, and of course family commitments can leave us all feeling stretched thin. Indeed, for many of us in oncology, where patient care and professional dedication are always paramount, it can feel especially challenging to prioritize ourselves. Nevertheless, it’s precisely at this busy time that self-care, and a mindfulness of how to best budget our time, becomes even more essential.

It’s important to always remind ourselves that rest is not a luxury, but rather a necessity. Indeed, we’re better equipped to offer our best—whether it’s to our patients, families, or colleagues when we carve out a dedicated time to recharge. Giving yourself room to breathe, saying "no" when you need to, and allowing space for rest are powerful choices, and certainly not signs of weakness or non-commitment. Remember and appreciate all that you do for others. I invite you to, even if it’s just for a little while, give yourself permission to put your own well-being at the top of the list.

As this busy holiday season approaches, try to live each day with an attitude of mindfulness, taking moments to pause and check in with yourself. This could mean such things as embracing the simplicity of a quiet evening, taking the bold step of choosing one less obligation, or taking a break to simply be quiet, mindful, and grateful. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to be great at everything to make a meaningful impact. Taking time for yourself is not only okay—it’s essential.

Wishing you a restful, balanced holiday season filled with moments of peace and self-care!

Feel free to reach out directly for additional tools and resources tailored to your specific needs. [email protected]

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Organizations we love to love

GO2 for Lung Cancer stands at the forefront of advancements in lung cancer care and support. They are the trusted resource for one-on-one assistance, providing personalized guidance, supportive connections, comprehensive treatment information, and access to local care options. GO2 empowers individuals with the latest research insights and special initiatives focused on increasing survivorship and enhancing quality of life. As leaders in health policy reform and public awareness, they are transforming the narrative from stigma to hope. GO2 serves as teachers, advocates, and steadfast allies. Here, confronting lung cancer begins—and so does the journey toward resilience and hope. Confronting lung cancer starts here?.

To learn more, please visit go2.org

Until Next Month...