Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, and no one deserves the disease. Dr. Bryant Lin knew this, as his research at Stanford University’s Center for Asian Health Research and Education was dedicated to how non-smoking Asian individuals are disproportionately affected by lung cancer and other diseases. But in a cruel twist of fate, the 50-year-old, non-smoker received a stage IV lung cancer diagnosis himself. A self-proclaimed “jolly” person who believes in the importance of gratitude and appreciation for what you have, he did not let his diagnosis slow him down. Instead, he turned it into his life purpose.
An Unexpected Diagnosis
After about six weeks of dealing with a persistent cough, Dr. Lin decided he should have a visit with his primary care physician. Since his doctor is also a colleague, he received quick and thorough treatment. They first tried antibiotics and inhalers, with little improvement. The next step was an X-ray which showed a large spot on his right lung, signaling a more severe problem. From there, things moved quickly. A CT scan revealed the size and severity of the spot, and a bronchoscopy led to the final diagnosis. It was stage IV lung cancer that had metastasized to his liver, bones and brain. Understandably, Dr. Lin was shocked by the discovery. “It never strikes you that you’re going to be the one with the disease,” he said.
Further genetic testing showed he had EGFR exon 19 deletion gene, which is the most common genetic mutation among Asians. “There are several stages of grief, and I think I went through all of them multiple times,” he explained. “But I’ve always been an optimistic, happy person, that is innate in me. So, I came to acceptance relatively quickly and began thinking of a way to turn this into something positive. As my colleague says, when life gives you crap, make fertilizer.” Less than a month later, he approached Stanford administration about a novel class idea; one that focused on the patient’s cancer experience, using himself as the case study.
From Diagnosis to Dialogue: A Doctor’s Real-Time Battle with Cancer
Dr. Lin began treatment immediately, which involved targeted therapy designed to attack the EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation. At the same time, he underwent chemotherapy, which caused several unpleasant side-effects. Though his aggressive treatment meant he might not be up to teaching in the fall, Dr. Lin didn’t let that stop him from designing a class that would turn cancer education on its head.
His course, “From Diagnosis to Dialogue: A Doctor’s Real-Time Battle with Cancer,” sought to teach students over the course of 10-weeks, what it was like to live with cancer from his first-hand perspective. For an hour each week, he presented his students with a problem based on his experience. Sessions addressed topics like having difficult conversations, nutrition, mental health, spiritual care or healthcare access. A highly respected and connected Stanford professor for over 20 years, Dr. Lin persuaded specialists to speak on each topic, to add to offer a level of expertise and facilitate discussion. “We were focused on rebalancing the perspective because this course was based on my case, so we wanted to emphasize what the patient feels and experiences instead of talking about microbiology, like other medical classes,” he said.
“As someone who has a foot in both worlds, as a patient and a doctor, I hoped to give them essential insight and amplify their interest in healthcare. Medicine is a human endeavor; all this tech and tools are in service of helping human beings.”
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Students were surprised that Dr. Lin was able to stay upbeat and positive even though he has such a grim diagnosis. Many expressed that the class inspired them to consider oncology or cancer research as a career. The ones planning to pursue a job in the medical field expressed that Dr. Lin’s story impacted how they perceived the patient’s experience.
Advocating for Lung Cancer Research
Dr. Lin and his students were most surprised about how underfunded lung cancer research is, especially compared to other cancers. He is the first to tell you that without research, he would not be here today. Not only that, but research has also led to treatments like targeted therapy that have allowed him to live without disease progression for two years. Additionally, he has participated in a clinical trial that changed his standard of care. The study suggested that having chemotherapy in combination with his targeted therapy was more effective, so that is the protocol he followed, with very favorable results. “I am so lucky that the treatment has been working for me and is why I am able to teach my classes and talk to you now,” he said. “I’m hopeful that when my tumor gets resistant to my current targeted therapy that research will provide a way forward. But we in the lung cancer community need to advocate for more funding for the disease,” he explained.
“We have great evidence now that lung cancer in smokers can be detected early, so we need policies that make sure these types of preventative medicine are covered. In addition, reasonable evidence from a study done in Taiwan shows that if screening Asian non-smokers can result in a 2% detection rate in this risk population. This is greater than even the 1% detection rate that screening currently has for smokers,” Dr. Lin continued.
Raising awareness and advocating for lung cancer patients, particularly in Asian communities and among those who have never smoked, is a cause close to his heart. “Many people don’t realize that anyone can get lung cancer, regardless of smoking history,” he said.
The Power of Stories
A former door-to-door doctor, Dr. Lin has made it his mission to stress that people are at the heart of medical practice. “We are as humans the stories we tell about ourselves and to others. That is human connection,” he said. Moving forward, this is his focus.
“When you get diagnosed with a serious illness, some people ask about a bucket list, but I’ve never been a bucket list person, I just try to think about what is important to me and do those things,” he explained.
“Though I have less certain time now, I have been fortunate I haven’t changed my life all that much which validates to me I am living the way I should. So that is my advice: be kind, be curious, help others and do more of what makes you happy.”
Learn more about lung cancer research and how you can make a difference.
Blog last updated: May 1, 2025
