Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

About 2 Out Of 5 Heart Failure Patients Don’t See A Cardiologist Even Once A Year

With the modern medicine, timely access to specialized care often makes the difference between life and death. For patients with <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/heart-failure">heart failure</a></span>, this reality has never been more true but a troubling new study indicates that roughly 40% of individuals with heart failure do not see a cardiologist even once per year despite strong evidence that even one yearly visit would greatly enhance survival.

Published in the European Heart Journal and delivered at the Heart Failure Congress 2025, the research led by Dr. Guillaume Baudry and Professor Nicolas Girerd from the Clinical Investigation Centre at Nancy University Hospital in France indicates that annual cardiology follow-ups are linked to a 24% lower risk of mortality. The results give rise to immediate questions regarding discrepancies in access to specialist care and how health systems everywhere can improve support for heart failure patients.

Heart failure ensues when the heart becomes incapable of circulating blood, usually a result of ailments like coronary artery disease, hypertension, or past heart attacks. Although irreversible in a majority of instances, heart failure can be treated for many decades with the proper medications, lifestyle modifications, and follow-up visits. Cardiologists have the key role in providing this expert care.

While the previous research took its data from a handful of middle-class medical centers, the new study, based on medical records of 655,919 heart failure patients in France, discovered that almost two in five patients saw no cardiologist whatsoever within a 12-month window. And such minimal contact has dire consequences. In accordance with the scientists, for every 11–16 patients who did visit a cardiologist on at least an annual basis, one life could be saved.

"Ever since we understood the importance of specialist care for cancer, we've also known that heart failure needs specialist attention," said Dr. Baudry. "Our study offers proof that even clinically stable patients can gain benefit from regular care by a cardiologist."

<h2>How Often Should You Visit a Cardiologist?</h2>

To maximize care delivery, the research stratified patients according to two straightforward but strongly predictive factors: recent hospitalization for heart failure and diuretic use (a common set of medications used to counteract fluid accumulation). These factors were used to determine which patients required more frequent follow-ups with specialists.

Patients with no recent hospitalization and no diuretic use were improved by at least one visit a year, cutting their risk of death from 13% to 6.7%.

Those who had not been recently hospitalized but were on diuretics required two to three visits yearly, reducing their risk from 21.3% to 11.9%.

Those hospitalized in the past five years (but not the recent year) also needed two to three visits to reduce risk from 24.8% to 12.9%.

The most at-risk group—those hospitalized in the previous year—benefited most from quarterly visits, lowering death rates from 34.3% to 18.2%.

Importantly, these recommendations are based on existing resource constraints within national healthcare systems, making them practical and scalable globally.

The study also identified significant differences in access to seeing a cardiologist. Women, older patients, and patients with other chronic conditions like diabetes or pulmonary disease were less likely to be referred for cardiology treatment. Indeed, 33.8% of women did not visit a cardiologist in a year, versus 27.9% of men. Women were also less likely to take drugs like RAS inhibitors, which are routine in heart failure treatment.

In spite of these differences, women actually fared better overall in mortality and hospitalization rates—an intriguing and not yet fully explained result that merits further study.

Professor Nicolas Girerd stressed the necessity of systematic reform: "Referral to a cardiologist should be as routine in heart failure as it is in cancer care. Our study demonstrates that two simple markers recent hospitalization and treatment with diuretics—can inform these decisions without the need for expensive diagnostic machinery."

This big, population-based French study is a wake-up call, not only for European healthcare, but for health systems in general. In most nations, primary care doctors are overworked, and patients with complicated diseases such as heart failure might not get the specialist care they require.

In a supporting editorial, Professor Lars Lund of Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm cautioned, "What good is 50 years of discovery and innovation in heart failure treatment if patients aren't accessing that care?" He further said that systemic initiatives are urgently required to include <span>cardiology follow-up</span> in the standard care pathways.

Although this was an observational study and cannot establish direct causality, the scale and robustness of the findings are a powerful argument for change. The researchers plan now to conduct an interventional clinical trial to examine the effect of organized cardiologist follow-up on patient outcomes. They also want to investigate the problem in countries with varying models of healthcare in order to determine world applicability.

<h2>Hidden Cost of Skipping Cardiology Visits</h2>

Heart failure doesn’t always arrive with drama — no sudden collapse, no flashing lights. Instead, it often unfolds quietly, with fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling easily dismissed as aging or stress. But beneath that silence lies a ticking time bomb. The latest study from France highlights a shocking truth: failing to see a cardiologist even once a year could be a matter of life and death. This isn't about access to the latest technology or expensive tests, it's about presence. 

The absence of a specialist in a patient’s journey with heart failure can mean the absence of life-saving medication adjustments, early warning signs going unnoticed, and critical therapy not being initiated. The data is sobering — skipping that one visit could mean doubling the risk of death.

One of the most powerful insights from the study is its identification of two simple, scalable criteria—recent hospitalization and diuretic use that can predict which heart failure patients are at highest risk. This is revolutionary in its simplicity. It doesn’t require advanced imaging, genomic testing, or expensive algorithms.

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With the modern medicine, timely access to specialized care often makes the difference between life and death. For patients with heart failure, this reality has never been more true but a troubling new study indicates that roughly 40% of individuals with heart failure do not see a cardiologist even once per year despite strong evidence that even one yearly visit would greatly enhance survival.Published in the European Heart Journal and delivered at the Heart Failure Congress 2025, the research led by Dr. Guillaume Baudry and Professor Nicolas Girerd from the Clinical Investigation Centre at Nancy University Hospital in France indicates that annual cardiology follow-ups are linked to a 24% lower risk of mortality. The results give rise to immediate questions regarding discrepancies in access to specialist care and how health systems everywhere can improve support for heart failure patients.Heart failure ensues when the heart becomes incapable of circulating blood, usually a result of ailments like coronary artery disease, hypertension, or past heart attacks. Although irreversible in a majority of instances, heart failure can be treated for many decades with the proper medications, lifestyle modifications, and follow-up visits. Cardiologists have the key role in providing this expert care.While the previous research took its data from a handful of middle-class medical centers, the new study, based on medical records of 655,919 heart failure patients in France, discovered that almost two in five patients saw no cardiologist whatsoever within a 12-month window. And such minimal contact has dire consequences. In accordance with the scientists, for every 11–16 patients who did visit a cardiologist on at least an annual basis, one life could be saved."Ever since we understood the importance of specialist care for cancer, we've also known that heart failure needs specialist attention," said Dr. Baudry. "Our study offers proof that even clinically stable patients can gain benefit from regular care by a cardiologist."How Often Should You Visit a Cardiologist?To maximize care delivery, the research stratified patients according to two straightforward but strongly predictive factors: recent hospitalization for heart failure and diuretic use (a common set of medications used to counteract fluid accumulation). These factors were used to determine which patients required more frequent follow-ups with specialists.Patients with no recent hospitalization and no diuretic use were improved by at least one visit a year, cutting their risk of death from 13% to 6.7%.Those who had not been recently hospitalized but were on diuretics required two to three visits yearly, reducing their risk from 21.3% to 11.9%.Those hospitalized in the past five years (but not the recent year) also needed two to three visits to reduce risk from 24.8% to 12.9%.The most at-risk group—those hospitalized in the previous year—benefited most from quarterly visits, lowering death rates from 34.3% to 18.2%.Importantly, these recommendations are based on existing resource constraints within national healthcare systems, making them practical and scalable globally.The study also identified significant differences in access to seeing a cardiologist. Women, older patients, and patients with other chronic conditions like diabetes or pulmonary disease were less likely to be referred for cardiology treatment. Indeed, 33.8% of women did not visit a cardiologist in a year, versus 27.9% of men. Women were also less likely to take drugs like RAS inhibitors, which are routine in heart failure treatment.In spite of these differences, women actually fared better overall in mortality and hospitalization rates—an intriguing and not yet fully explained result that merits further study.Professor Nicolas Girerd stressed the necessity of systematic reform: "Referral to a cardiologist should be as routine in heart failure as it is in cancer care. Our study demonstrates that two simple markers recent hospitalization and treatment with diuretics—can inform these decisions without the need for expensive diagnostic machinery."This big, population-based French study is a wake-up call, not only for European healthcare, but for health systems in general. In most nations, primary care doctors are overworked, and patients with complicated diseases such as heart failure might not get the specialist care they require.In a supporting editorial, Professor Lars Lund of Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm cautioned, "What good is 50 years of discovery and innovation in heart failure treatment if patients aren't accessing that care?" He further said that systemic initiatives are urgently required to include cardiology follow-up in the standard care pathways.Although this was an observational study and cannot establish direct causality, the scale and robustness of the findings are a powerful argument for change. The researchers plan now to conduct an interventional clinical trial to examine the effect of organized cardiologist follow-up on patient outcomes. They also want to investigate the problem in countries with varying models of healthcare in order to determine world applicability.Hidden Cost of Skipping Cardiology VisitsHeart failure doesn’t always arrive with drama — no sudden collapse, no flashing lights. Instead, it often unfolds quietly, with fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling easily dismissed as aging or stress. But beneath that silence lies a ticking time bomb. The latest study from France highlights a shocking truth: failing to see a cardiologist even once a year could be a matter of life and death. This isn't about access to the latest technology or expensive tests, it's about presence. The absence of a specialist in a patient’s journey with heart failure can mean the absence of life-saving medication adjustments, early warning signs going unnoticed, and critical therapy not being initiated. The data is sobering — skipping that one visit could mean doubling the risk of death.Signs That Could Save LivesOne of the most powerful insights from the study is its identification of two simple, scalable criteria—recent hospitalization and diuretic use that can predict which heart failure patients are at highest risk. This is revolutionary in its simplicity. It doesn’t require advanced imaging, genomic testing, or expensive algorithms.

about 2 out of 5 heart failure patients don’t see a cardiologist even once a year

Ishita Roy

World's First Human Bladder Transplantation Successful In California

first human bladder transplantation

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In a historic first for modern medicine, surgeons in the United States have successfully performed the world’s first bladder <span>transplant</span> in a living human. Announced on Sunday, the groundbreaking procedure was carried out by a joint team from Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and UCLA Health at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

<h4>A Major Leap in Transplant Surgery</h4>

Leading this pioneering operation were Dr. Inderbir Gill, founding executive director of USC Urology, and Dr. Nima Nassiri, director of the UCLA Vascularized Composite Bladder Allograft Transplant Programme. The duo and their multidisciplinary team performed the complex surgery, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of patients with non-functional or severely damaged bladders.

“This surgery marks a historic moment in medicine and could revolutionize the treatment of patients with ‘terminal’ bladders that no longer function,” said Dr. Gill. “Transplantation is already lifesaving for many organs, and now the bladder can join that list.”

The recipient of the transplant was a man who had endured multiple serious health setbacks. More than five years ago, he underwent major cancer surgery that resulted in the loss of most of his bladder. Subsequently, both of his kidneys were removed due to renal cancer, leaving him dialysis-dependent for the past seven years.

“For carefully selected patients, this offers a promising new option,” Dr. Nassiri explained. “This first attempt at bladder transplantation was over four years in the making.”

The innovative procedure involved transplanting both a kidney and a bladder from a deceased donor. Surgeons first implanted the kidney, followed by the bladder. In a final step, they connected the newly transplanted kidney to the new bladder to allow the system to function as a unit. The surgery lasted around eight hours.

<h4>The results were immediate and remarkable.</h4>

“The kidney started producing a large volume of urine right away, and the patient’s kidney function improved immediately,” said Dr. Nassiri. “There was no need for further dialysis, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder.”

Bladder transplants have long been considered a distant possibility due to the organ’s complex structure and function. This successful case could pave the way for new treatment options for people with bladder failure, particularly those whose condition does not respond to conventional therapies.

Despite the complexity of the procedure, the patient is reportedly recovering well and showing positive signs of improvement. The success of this operation could lead to wider adoption in the future and clinical trials for selected patients.

“This is a big step forward,” said Dr. Gill. “We are hopeful that this opens a new chapter in organ transplantation and urological care.”

first human bladder transplant

health and wellness

human bladder transplant

human bladder transplant in California

transplant

In a historic first for modern medicine, surgeons in the United States have successfully performed the world’s first bladder transplant in a living human. Announced on Sunday, the groundbreaking procedure was carried out by a joint team from Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and UCLA Health at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.A Major Leap in Transplant SurgeryLeading this pioneering operation were Dr. Inderbir Gill, founding executive director of USC Urology, and Dr. Nima Nassiri, director of the UCLA Vascularized Composite Bladder Allograft Transplant Programme. The duo and their multidisciplinary team performed the complex surgery, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of patients with non-functional or severely damaged bladders.“This surgery marks a historic moment in medicine and could revolutionize the treatment of patients with ‘terminal’ bladders that no longer function,” said Dr. Gill. “Transplantation is already lifesaving for many organs, and now the bladder can join that list.”The Patient’s JourneyThe recipient of the transplant was a man who had endured multiple serious health setbacks. More than five years ago, he underwent major cancer surgery that resulted in the loss of most of his bladder. Subsequently, both of his kidneys were removed due to renal cancer, leaving him dialysis-dependent for the past seven years.“For carefully selected patients, this offers a promising new option,” Dr. Nassiri explained. “This first attempt at bladder transplantation was over four years in the making.”How the Surgery Was DoneThe innovative procedure involved transplanting both a kidney and a bladder from a deceased donor. Surgeons first implanted the kidney, followed by the bladder. In a final step, they connected the newly transplanted kidney to the new bladder to allow the system to function as a unit. The surgery lasted around eight hours.The results were immediate and remarkable.“The kidney started producing a large volume of urine right away, and the patient’s kidney function improved immediately,” said Dr. Nassiri. “There was no need for further dialysis, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder.”What This Means for the FutureBladder transplants have long been considered a distant possibility due to the organ’s complex structure and function. This successful case could pave the way for new treatment options for people with bladder failure, particularly those whose condition does not respond to conventional therapies.Despite the complexity of the procedure, the patient is reportedly recovering well and showing positive signs of improvement. The success of this operation could lead to wider adoption in the future and clinical trials for selected patients.“This is a big step forward,” said Dr. Gill. “We are hopeful that this opens a new chapter in organ transplantation and urological care.”

world's first human bladder transplantation successful in california

Riya Baibhawi

Poor Mental Health As Child Limits Capacity To Work In Later Life

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Children in Great Britain with serious <span>mental health</span> conditions are two-thirds more likely to have a limited ability to work in adulthood, according to research from a leading think tank. The report by researchers at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) looked at data from about 6,000 people who took part in the 1970 <span>British Cohort Study</span>, which is following the lives of individuals born in a single week in 1970 across Great Britain.

The analysis found that people who had severe mental and behavioural issues as a child were 85% more likely to have symptoms of depression at the age of 51, and 68% more likely to have a long-term condition that affects their ability to work. Children with a physical health problem were 38% more likely to have limited capacity for work in later life, according to the analysis.

The government has pledged to “raise the healthiest generation of children in our history”. Labour has committed to introducing a targeted national dental hygiene programme, cutting paediatric waiting times with 2m more operations, and setting a 9pm watershed for junk food advertising.

The IPPR recommended the government safeguard spending on children and preventive spending in the NHS and other public services, and expand the role of the children’s commissioner.

In January, the Guardian reported that the number of children referred to emergency mental healthcare in England had risen by 10% in a year, with lengthy waiting lists for regular NHS care pushing more to crisis point.

Previous research by the IPPR estimated that the hidden cost of rising workplace sickness in the UK had passed £100bn a year, with employees now losing the equivalent of 44 days of <span>productivity</span> because of working through sickness, up from 35 days in 2018.

Amy Gandon, an associate fellow at the thinktank and a former senior government official on children’s health, said: “Successive governments have failed to face up to the long-term consequences of poor child health. If this government is serious about building a preventative state, it must act decisively to improve the prospects of our children and young people.

“What’s more, the dividends from doing so need not be decades away; the right action now, for example, for those joining the workforce within a few years, can deliver better health, opportunity and growth within this parliament.”

Dr Jamie O’Halloran, a senior research fellow at the IPPR, said: “The earlier we address both physical and mental health challenges for children, the more likely we can prevent costly health conditions and worklessness later in life. This is not just a matter of improving individual lives, but also of alleviating long-term pressures on the state.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “As this report demonstrates, prevention is better than cure. That’s why this week, we expanded access to mental health teams in schools to almost an extra million children.

"We are investing an extra £680 million for mental health services, recruiting 8,500 extra mental health workers, and delivering an extra 345,000 talking therapies. Through our Plan for Change, we will tackle the mental health crisis and give every child a healthy start to life."

Mental Health

Work Life Balance

Poor mental Health

Uk health news

British Cohort Study

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Children in Great Britain with serious mental health conditions are two-thirds more likely to have a limited ability to work in adulthood, according to research from a leading think tank. The report by researchers at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) looked at data from about 6,000 people who took part in the 1970 British Cohort Study, which is following the lives of individuals born in a single week in 1970 across Great Britain.The analysis found that people who had severe mental and behavioural issues as a child were 85% more likely to have symptoms of depression at the age of 51, and 68% more likely to have a long-term condition that affects their ability to work. Children with a physical health problem were 38% more likely to have limited capacity for work in later life, according to the analysis.The government has pledged to “raise the healthiest generation of children in our history”. Labour has committed to introducing a targeted national dental hygiene programme, cutting paediatric waiting times with 2m more operations, and setting a 9pm watershed for junk food advertising.The IPPR recommended the government safeguard spending on children and preventive spending in the NHS and other public services, and expand the role of the children’s commissioner.In January, the Guardian reported that the number of children referred to emergency mental healthcare in England had risen by 10% in a year, with lengthy waiting lists for regular NHS care pushing more to crisis point.Previous research by the IPPR estimated that the hidden cost of rising workplace sickness in the UK had passed £100bn a year, with employees now losing the equivalent of 44 days of productivity because of working through sickness, up from 35 days in 2018.Amy Gandon, an associate fellow at the thinktank and a former senior government official on children’s health, said: “Successive governments have failed to face up to the long-term consequences of poor child health. If this government is serious about building a preventative state, it must act decisively to improve the prospects of our children and young people.“What’s more, the dividends from doing so need not be decades away; the right action now, for example, for those joining the workforce within a few years, can deliver better health, opportunity and growth within this parliament.”Dr Jamie O’Halloran, a senior research fellow at the IPPR, said: “The earlier we address both physical and mental health challenges for children, the more likely we can prevent costly health conditions and worklessness later in life. This is not just a matter of improving individual lives, but also of alleviating long-term pressures on the state.”A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “As this report demonstrates, prevention is better than cure. That’s why this week, we expanded access to mental health teams in schools to almost an extra million children."We are investing an extra £680 million for mental health services, recruiting 8,500 extra mental health workers, and delivering an extra 345,000 talking therapies. Through our Plan for Change, we will tackle the mental health crisis and give every child a healthy start to life."

poor mental health as child limits capacity to work in later life

This Super-Fit Non-Smoker Mom, 34, Diagnosed With Incurable Lung Cancer- Mistook Symptom For Gym Injury

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Reyna Savage was the picture of health. At 34, the Michigan-based mom of two was active, super-fit, and had never smoked a single cigarette in her life. But in a twist that has shocked her and stunned thousands of followers online, she’s now living with an incurable form of stage four <span>lung cancer</span>, <span>non-small cell lung cancer</span> (NSCLC) a diagnosis that came after she dismissed persistent shoulder pain as just another workout strain.

Her story is not only a sobering reminder that lung <span>cancer</span> isn’t exclusive to smokers but also a powerful example of how early signs of serious illness can be insidiously subtle.

“I thought I had just pulled something in the gym,” Reyna shared in an Instagram video that has since gone viral. “It started out as shoulder pain, just this achy feeling, and then it started to spread toward my neck.”

Initially, there were no alarming symptoms like coughing up blood or dramatic shortness of breath. What she did experience was a dull shoulder ache, a popping sound every time she moved her arm, and eventually, a pain so severe she couldn’t sleep on her right side. The ache crept around her body from her back to her chest without the classic signs of lung distress.

In retrospect, Reyna admits there was one subtle red flag: “It felt like my body was gasping for air—just for a split second.” But with so many other physical symptoms to blame, even this moment was rationalized as a side effect of poor posture or shallow breathing from pain.

In April 2023, after several visits to the doctor and persistent symptoms, she received the diagnosis no one expects—stage four non-small cell lung cancer. The disease had already spread to her bones, kidneys, and lymph nodes.

The odds at this stage are devastating. Fewer than 10 percent of patients with stage four lung cancer survive beyond five years. And yet, Reyna’s determination and early response to treatment have offered some hope. After undergoing chemotherapy and targeted anti-cancer therapy, recent scans show that her cancer is currently undetectable—though still considered incurable.

Reyna’s story aligns with a growing and disturbing trend. In a groundbreaking global study published earlier this year, researchers found that non-smokers now represent a growing share of lung cancer diagnoses. Particularly in cases like Reyna’s—adenocarcinoma, a subtype of NSCLC—patients often have no history of tobacco use.

Scientists from France and China attributed a significant portion of these cases—possibly up to a third of the 600,000 global adenocarcinoma cases annually—to environmental factors such as air pollution. Alarmingly, data from the World Health Organization shows that 99% of the global population lives in areas where air quality fails to meet safe standards.

The study also found that women are disproportionately affected by non-smoking lung cancer—a detail that underscores how this disease can quietly and systemically discriminate, even in the absence of traditional risk factors.

<h2>Misconceptions and Missed Diagnoses of Lung Cancer</h2>

Lung cancer continues to be unfairly stereotyped as a smoker’s disease. Because of that, many non-smoking individuals—especially young and healthy ones—may delay seeking medical attention or be misdiagnosed. Reyna's experience echoes the medical blind spots that still exist in primary care: if you're young, fit, and have no risk factors, cancer often isn’t the first suspicion.

But early symptoms of lung cancer are frequently vague and easy to dismiss. A shoulder ache. A change in breathing. Chest tightness. These signs can often mimic orthopedic or even anxiety-related conditions.

“Had I not kept pushing and listening to my body, it could have been too late,” Reyna said in one of her social media updates. Her transparency has led to an outpouring of support and heightened awareness, especially among women who otherwise wouldn’t associate their symptoms with a disease like lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. While smoking still accounts for around 70 percent of all cases, experts stress that other risk factors—such as prolonged exposure to radon gas, environmental pollutants, family history, and even certain infections—can all contribute to the disease's onset in non-smokers.

Non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for over 87% of lung cancer cases, can remain asymptomatic until advanced stages. When symptoms do appear, they often include persistent coughs, back or chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue—many of which can be brushed off or confused with more benign ailments.

<h2>If You Don’t Smoke What Are The Signs of Lung Cancer</h2>

Reyna’s case is an urgent wake-up call. If you're young, active, and not a smoker, it’s easy to assume you’re safe from something as serious as lung cancer. But as the statistics and Reyna’s harrowing experience show, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In an era of rising pollution, changing cancer patterns, and delayed diagnoses, being proactive about vague or persistent symptoms could be life-saving. Ask the questions. Get the scans. Trust your body’s signals.

“I didn’t fit the profile,” Reyna says. “But cancer doesn’t care about profiles.” Her journey continues—one filled with courage, education, and the hope that her story will encourage others to take their health seriously, regardless of their lifestyle.

cancer

lung cancer

non-smoker lung cancer

stage 4 lung cancer

reyna savage story

adenocarcinoma symptoms

lung cancer in young women

air pollution cancer risk

non-small cell lung cancer

Reyna Savage was the picture of health. At 34, the Michigan-based mom of two was active, super-fit, and had never smoked a single cigarette in her life. But in a twist that has shocked her and stunned thousands of followers online, she’s now living with an incurable form of stage four lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) a diagnosis that came after she dismissed persistent shoulder pain as just another workout strain.Her story is not only a sobering reminder that lung cancer isn’t exclusive to smokers but also a powerful example of how early signs of serious illness can be insidiously subtle.“I thought I had just pulled something in the gym,” Reyna shared in an Instagram video that has since gone viral. “It started out as shoulder pain, just this achy feeling, and then it started to spread toward my neck.”Initially, there were no alarming symptoms like coughing up blood or dramatic shortness of breath. What she did experience was a dull shoulder ache, a popping sound every time she moved her arm, and eventually, a pain so severe she couldn’t sleep on her right side. The ache crept around her body from her back to her chest without the classic signs of lung distress.In retrospect, Reyna admits there was one subtle red flag: “It felt like my body was gasping for air—just for a split second.” But with so many other physical symptoms to blame, even this moment was rationalized as a side effect of poor posture or shallow breathing from pain.In April 2023, after several visits to the doctor and persistent symptoms, she received the diagnosis no one expects—stage four non-small cell lung cancer. The disease had already spread to her bones, kidneys, and lymph nodes.The odds at this stage are devastating. Fewer than 10 percent of patients with stage four lung cancer survive beyond five years. And yet, Reyna’s determination and early response to treatment have offered some hope. After undergoing chemotherapy and targeted anti-cancer therapy, recent scans show that her cancer is currently undetectable—though still considered incurable.Reyna’s story aligns with a growing and disturbing trend. In a groundbreaking global study published earlier this year, researchers found that non-smokers now represent a growing share of lung cancer diagnoses. Particularly in cases like Reyna’s—adenocarcinoma, a subtype of NSCLC—patients often have no history of tobacco use.Scientists from France and China attributed a significant portion of these cases—possibly up to a third of the 600,000 global adenocarcinoma cases annually—to environmental factors such as air pollution. Alarmingly, data from the World Health Organization shows that 99% of the global population lives in areas where air quality fails to meet safe standards.The study also found that women are disproportionately affected by non-smoking lung cancer—a detail that underscores how this disease can quietly and systemically discriminate, even in the absence of traditional risk factors.Misconceptions and Missed Diagnoses of Lung CancerLung cancer continues to be unfairly stereotyped as a smoker’s disease. Because of that, many non-smoking individuals—especially young and healthy ones—may delay seeking medical attention or be misdiagnosed. Reyna's experience echoes the medical blind spots that still exist in primary care: if you're young, fit, and have no risk factors, cancer often isn’t the first suspicion.But early symptoms of lung cancer are frequently vague and easy to dismiss. A shoulder ache. A change in breathing. Chest tightness. These signs can often mimic orthopedic or even anxiety-related conditions.“Had I not kept pushing and listening to my body, it could have been too late,” Reyna said in one of her social media updates. Her transparency has led to an outpouring of support and heightened awareness, especially among women who otherwise wouldn’t associate their symptoms with a disease like lung cancer.Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. While smoking still accounts for around 70 percent of all cases, experts stress that other risk factors—such as prolonged exposure to radon gas, environmental pollutants, family history, and even certain infections—can all contribute to the disease's onset in non-smokers.Non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for over 87% of lung cancer cases, can remain asymptomatic until advanced stages. When symptoms do appear, they often include persistent coughs, back or chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue—many of which can be brushed off or confused with more benign ailments.If You Don’t Smoke What Are The Signs of Lung CancerReyna’s case is an urgent wake-up call. If you're young, active, and not a smoker, it’s easy to assume you’re safe from something as serious as lung cancer. But as the statistics and Reyna’s harrowing experience show, that couldn’t be further from the truth.In an era of rising pollution, changing cancer patterns, and delayed diagnoses, being proactive about vague or persistent symptoms could be life-saving. Ask the questions. Get the scans. Trust your body’s signals.“I didn’t fit the profile,” Reyna says. “But cancer doesn’t care about profiles.” Her journey continues—one filled with courage, education, and the hope that her story will encourage others to take their health seriously, regardless of their lifestyle.

this super-fit non-smoker mom, 34, diagnosed with incurable lung cancer- mistook symptom for gym injury

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