Blogger warns about lung cancer

Submitted by James Chisum

ORANGE COUNTY -- Last spring, Emily Roberts, a working mother of three, was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). A few months later, she created her blog, ‘Emily’s Lung Cancer Journey: Creating Awareness of Lung Cancer in Women’ to update friends and family and spread the word.

At first, Roberts used her blog so she wouldn’t have to write hundreds of e-mails to relatives to keep them posted but then turned her journal into a resource for lung cancer patients and their families. She began posting public service announcements, clinical trials, articles and utilized her background in public health to create an outlet for patient education and advocacy.

“When I was first diagnosed with lung cancer, I started to question how it was possible for a non-smoker to get lung cancer at such an early age,” says Roberts, 34 of Tustin. “After researching lung cancer, I soon learned that the face of lung cancer is not what you think and that lung cancer is the highest cause of cancer deaths causing more deaths than breast, prostate, colon and liver cancers combined.”

Her nurse, Pam Matten, RN. B.S.N. O.C.N, Thoracic Oncology Nurse Navigator, at St. Joseph Hospital walked Roberts through the difficult experience. Matten stood by her side through the entire process from her surgery to contacting other organizations to support her awareness campaign.

This fall, Roberts plans to host a Yoga-thon for lung cancer survivors, patients and their families. She hopes that part of the fees from the classes will go towards lung cancer research.

“After my lung lobectomy, I found that yoga was very therapeutic,” says Roberts. “After my class, I feel so grateful for my health, appreciate so much more and would like to give back.”