Linda Chavez, a 35-year-old American woman, discovered in May 2024 that she had lung cancer. The diagnosis came late, at stage four, the most serious stage of the disease, with metastases in the brain and bones. Since then, she has used her experience to raise awareness of the signs that she and her doctors ignored — a story of struggle that inspires attention and care.
An unexpected and silent cancer
Unlike most cases of lung cancer, which are often linked to smoking, Linda’s condition is the result of a genetic mutation. The alteration in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) causes lung cells to multiply uncontrollably. This type of mutation, although rare, can occur even in people who have never smoked, like Linda.