Kirah was a young and healthy working professional who had never given much thought to lung cancer. She had no history of smoking or family history of lung disease, so when she couldn't shake a cough after a bout of COVID-19, she didn't think much of it. Over nine months later, the cough was still lingering. When she decided to visit her doctor, he initially diagnosed her with allergies. But the allergy medication did nothing, and the cough continued. A few months later, her cough persisted, so Kirah's doctors ordered a chest X-ray and diagnosed her with pneumonia. "They gave me antibiotics and of course the cough continued, but I am the type of person who puts everyone first, so it took me a while to go back to the doctor," Kirah explained.
By that time the cough had become unbearable. Kirah was coughing day and night and producing mucus. After more months of uncertainty and another X-ray, her doctor referred her to a pulmonologist who performed a myriad of tests including bronchoscopy, CT scan, and blood and breathing tests. "At this point cancer never even came up," Kirah remembers. "They considered it might be an autoimmune disease, but cancer was never on their radar because I was too young and didn't smoke."
Eventually, a biopsy revealed the truth; Kirah had stage 4 lung cancer. "I couldn't believe it, I just couldn't understand how this happened," she said. "Up to that point, I thought only people who smoked could get lung cancer."
Since the cancer had spread to both lungs, her doctors recommended immediate action. She was referred to an oncologist who tested Kirah for biomarkers. They didn’t find a match, so she started chemotherapy and immunotherapy; what her doctors called, “the whole kitchen sink treatment.”
After a few treatment cycles that included intense side effects, the cancer continued to grow, so her doctors tried another course of treatment. When this failed, she participated in two clinical trials which were equally disappointing. “I had all of the side-effects like stroke-level high blood pressure, losing my hair, being fatigued and needing to be monitored in the hospital constantly,” she said.
Kirah decided her quality of life was greatly affected, so she stopped all treatment and focused on her diet, exercise and living her life to the fullest. "Though there was slight progression, I felt so much better, so when my doctor wanted me to try one more clinical trial, I was skeptical. I was afraid it would kill me," Kirah said. But eventually she could no longer carry on a conversation without coughing and had constant pain because of the growing tumor. She figured she would give treatment one last shot.
Doctors discovered Kirah had a KRAS G12V biomarker, which is rare and currently has no targeted treatment. However, she decided to try an investigational study that uses a non-FDA approved drug to block cancer causing RAS proteins. In February 2026, she began the clinical trial which simply required her to take four pills a day. Finally, something worked! Just six weeks later, the cancer in both lungs had shrunk by 90% overall. “There is still a lot going on, I still have cancer, but it is stable and the drug is keeping things at bay and keeping the tumors from growing any further,” Kirah exclaimed.
Moving Forward with Lung Cancer
Though she travels to get her pills every three weeks and to the doctor to get scans every six weeks, Kirah's treatment has had positive outcomes. She tries to remain upbeat and maintain her healthy lifestyle, saying, "if you stay positive and believe things are going to be ok, I feel like the body will follow suit."
Kirah has also found a great support system in her friends and family, who constantly check in on her and help her however they can. Additionally, she has found a new community of lung cancer patients who she can be open and honest with about her experience. One group meets once a month for lunch. Another, consisting of Black women nationwide, communicates through Facebook. Each group helps Kirah feel heard and understood. "It's different than talking to friends and family, for them you always want to be strong," she said. "But these are groups of people who get it, everything that you are going through."
It is through one of these support group participants that Kirah first discovered the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE Walk. "A friend of mine who also had lung cancer introduced me to an American Lung Association staff member who helped me share my story throughout the community,” she said.
Spreading the Word: Anyone Can Get Lung Cancer
As Kirah continues her journey, it is important to her to get the word out: anyone can get lung cancer. She stresses getting your annual check-ups and screening tests when possible. She also believes that everyone needs to trust their intuition and push for tests and answers, even when things seem minor. “Pay attention to your body and if something feels off, go see your doctor,” she said. "I never would have imagined that this would be the outcome of me complaining of a cough, so if it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody."
Additionally, Kirah urges those who receive a lung cancer diagnosis to stay hopeful, regardless of stage. "Even though there was nothing working for me in the beginning, I tried to stay positive and maintain my health the best I could. And thanks to the research and treatment advancements that are being made this clinical trial eventually came up, and it is working wonders for me."
To learn more about lung cancer clinical trials and other treatments, visit lung.org
Blog last updated: September 18, 2026
