She Thought It Was the Flu – at 27, It Was Early-Stage Lung Cancer

At just 27 years old, Emily never imagined she’d be facing a cancer diagnosis. In late 2022, she was busy working in aerospace and living a typical young adult life when a persistent illness changed everything.

From “Just the Flu” to a Life-Changing Diagnosis

Emily’s symptoms started like a bad case of the flu—lingering cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. After two emergency department visits at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, negative tests for COVID and flu, and a round of antibiotics, her symptoms returned.

“It was so weird,” Emily recalls. “I had a cold for three weeks, felt better, and then it came back again.”

On her second trip to the emergency department, she started experiencing shortness of breath. During a busy flu season, Emily’s symptoms didn’t align with pneumonia or other common chest infections. After an initial chest X-ray, a vigilant nurse practitioner at the Emergency Department at Long Beach Medical Center noticed something unusual. She wanted a clearer view, so she ordered a low-dose CT scan—advanced imaging technology not found at most community hospitals that creates more detailed, clearer images than routine chest X-rays.

This specialized scan uses significantly less radiation than traditional X-rays and can be completed in under 30 seconds, without the need for contrast. Long Beach Medical Center’s use of advanced diagnostic tools, such as low-dose CT scans, reflects its commitment to early detection of lung cancer. These scans can identify early-stage lung cancer with up to 85% accuracy, often before symptoms even appear.

In a curtained ER bay, Emily and her mother were told that imaging had revealed a shadow on her right lung. At that point, the medical team couldn’t determine exactly what it was. Because of the location of the shadow and Emily’s symptoms, she was referred to Nilesh Vora, M.D., medical director of the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center. After reviewing the scans, Dr. Vora recommended a biopsy to gather more definitive information. Once the biopsy results came back, Dr. Vora was able to confirm the diagnosis: early stage lung cancer.

The MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute is known for its comprehensive, patient-centered approach to cancer care, offering advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive surgical options, and personalized treatment plans. With a multidisciplinary team of specialists and access to advanced technology, MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute provides patients like Emily with the best possible outcomes and support throughout their journey.

“My mom thought it had to be a mistake—after all, I was young, healthy, and had never smoked,” Emily says. “When the results confirmed what no one expected, lung cancer, it was a wake-up call. Don’t ignore your body and seek medical attention, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense.”

Lung cancer in young adults is rare, and Emily’s case was even more unusual because she had no classic risk factors. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 20% of lung cancer diagnoses occur in people who have never smoked, often linked to environmental or occupational exposures. Adding to the rarity, just 10% of cases occur in people under 55—and even fewer under 40.

Emily, a non-smoker working in the aerospace industry, had no obvious risk factors. While it’s unclear if her job played a role, studies have shown that aerospace workers may face elevated risks due to potential exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, jet fuel byproducts, and cosmic radiation. Her case is a powerful reminder that lung cancer doesn’t always follow the expected patterns, and that early detection, especially through advanced imaging like low-dose CT scans, can be lifesaving. Listening to your body and advocating for further testing, even when symptoms seem minor or unlikely, can make all the difference.

The good news: When lung cancer is caught early, treatment options are often highly effective. Emily’s experience is extraordinary—not only because she was just 27, but because she had no traditional risk factors. Most young adults would never be screened for lung cancer, so her diagnosis happened only because a vigilant nurse practitioner pushed for advanced imaging. That single decision led to early detection and changed the course of her life.

Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery and Targeted Genetic Therapy

Emily’s extraordinary diagnosis set the stage for a highly personalized treatment plan. Dr. Vora, her oncologist, knew that catching lung cancer at an early stage gave Emily the best possible chance for a positive outcome—and acted quickly to build a multidisciplinary approach. That began with a consult with Amir Abolhoda, M.D., the medical director of cardiothoracic surgery and a leading expert in robotic-assisted thoracic surgery at Long Beach Medical Center.

Dr. Abolhoda recommended a robotic lobectomy, a procedure to remove an entire lobe of the lung, performed with remarkable precision thanks to the da Vinci Surgical System. Long Beach Medical Center is equipped with multiple generations of the da Vinci Surgical System, including the Xi and V models, which enable surgeons to perform complex chest procedures with remarkable precision and minimal invasiveness.

This advanced technology offers enhanced 3D visualization, tremor filtration, and micro-instrumentation, allowing surgeons to operate with millimeter-level accuracy through small incisions. In Emily’s case, the surgery involved removing the affected lobe of her right lung along with surrounding lymph nodes to assure accurate pathological staging. Impressively, this complex procedure was completed at Long Beach Medical Center, a community hospital equipped with advanced technology on par with major academic medical centers. By leveraging robotic-assisted techniques, patients benefit from less pain, fewer complications, and faster recovery, bringing world-class cancer care close to home. This approach is the standard surgical treatment for many cases of lung cancer (stage I to III). Even in more advanced positive tumors, because of the more rapid recovery from the robotic procedure, patients are able to start systemic therapy earlier in the post operative period.

“During the procedure we removed the lower lobe of the right lung which contained the tumor along with all of the draining lymph nodes,” said Dr. Abolhoda. “Emily’s tumor turned out to be stage III lung cancer based on positivity of several lymph nodes. Which required her to receive additional treatment by Dr. Vora in the form of chemotherapy, followed by targeted therapy.”

Following surgery, genetic testing of her tumor also revealed an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, a change that causes cancer cells to grow and divide more rapidly. While not inherited, EGFR mutations occur in roughly 10–15% of lung cancer cases in the U.S. and are especially common among non-smokers, women, and younger patients—making genetic testing a critical step in guiding treatment decisions.

Based on these results, Emily began a course of chemotherapy followed by targeted therapy. Her chemotherapy lasted for four months, after which she transitioned to a daily oral targeted therapy designed to block the faulty EGFR signal.

“To help prevent the cancer from returning, we recommended a targeted therapy designed to block the faulty EGFR signal,” says Dr. Vora. “These treatments are more precise than traditional chemotherapy and are often taken as pills. They work by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells with this specific mutation, which helps reduce the risk of recurrence and improve long-term outcomes.”

Emily responded well to her treatment regimen, which included chemotherapy and targeted therapy over the course of three years, she experienced minimal side effects. After completing her treatment, she was given a clean bill of health—marking a major milestone in her journey.

A New Challenge: Brain Metastasis

Nearly two years after her initial treatment and a year into remission, Emily began experiencing severe headaches and vertigo. At first, she thought it was a lingering effect of cancer treatment.

“I was having headaches the whole last year,” said Emily. “I thought it was just post-cancer stuff. It was hard to tell if it was cancer pains or just normal pain.”

But after a particularly bad episode while she was on vacation in Atlanta, visiting her boyfriend’s family for the first time, she spoke to Dr. Vora over the phone, who informed her to schedule an appointment for an MRI as soon as she returns.

When the scan revealed a tumor in Emily’s brain, Dr. Vora quickly coordinated with Sheri Palejwala, M.D., neurosurgeon, Long Beach Medical Center, to schedule surgery. The procedure was successful, and a biopsy confirmed that the tumor had spread from her original lung cancer. To reduce the chances of it coming back, Emily also received targeted radiation therapy to the area where the tumor had been removed.

Today, Emily is doing much better, no longer has recurring headaches, and has completed her treatment.

“The only lasting reminder of my treatment is a small bald spot from the radiation,” Emily says. “But I feel really lucky—I have a lot of hair, so it’s easy to cover up. More importantly, I’m just grateful for the care I received and that I’ve made it through treatment. I’m focused on moving forward.”

Life After Cancer: New Perspectives

Emily’s cancer journey changed her outlook on life. She realized that work and career advancement were less important than spending time with loved ones. As an only child, her mother initially struggled to accept the diagnosis, but with time and support, the family grew closer. Emily’s boyfriend, Dylan, was a pillar of support—taking a month off work to care for her after brain surgery.

“He was like the best caregiver I ever had,” said Emily. “He helped with basic human needs, like showering and changing clothes. It gave relief to my parents and showed that he loves me.”

Emily also found comfort in connecting with other young cancer survivors online and through support groups. She learned to communicate her needs, advocate for herself, and break the stigma around the word “cancer.”

“I greatly appreciate the nurses and doctors that cared for me throughout my treatment,” said Emily. “I would even bring treats and cards to thank them. Even though I’m just one patient, they do a lot to help make me feel better, so I wanted to give back to them in some way.”

The Bucket List Project

One highlight of Emily’s journey was participating in the Bucket List Project, a nonprofit organization that fulfills meaningful wishes for adults with life-limiting illnesses. Through its partnership with the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center, the Bucket List Project has helped bring moments of joy and connection to patients like Emily.

Emily attended an Angels baseball game with her boyfriend and friends, where she got to go to batting practice, meet Angels team members who were also cancer survivors, and share stories that connected everyone in the community.

“The amount of care and love I felt in that moment was overwhelming—in the best way,” said Emily. “You don’t expect professional athletes or strangers to share such personal stories, but hearing them made me feel deeply connected. It reminded me that I’m not alone in this journey.”

This partnership between the Todd Cancer Institute and the Bucket List Project gave Emily more than just a memorable day—it offered her a sense of community and care beyond treatment.

“Our focus is always to bring joy and create meaningful moments for our patients beyond the hospital walls,” says Dr. Vora. “Surprising Emily at the Angels game was one of those moments—it reminded me how powerful connection and community can be in the healing process.”

Today, Emily shows no evidence of disease and continues to thrive. Her Angels game experience wasn’t just a wish fulfilled—it was a powerful reminder that she’s part of a caring community that sees her as more than a patient, but as a person with dreams, strength, and a story worth celebrating.

If you’d like to learn more about how MemorialCare Cancer Institute supports patients and their families—from expert diagnostics to innovative lung cancer treatment and compassionate care—visit memorialcare.org/lbcancer or call (888) 636-5864.