Jade Fardon, a 33-year-old business change manager from Watford, England, received a diagnosis of incurable stage four lung cancer despite never having smoked. Her initial symptom, a persistent cough that began in 2020, was repeatedly dismissed by doctors as likely being COVID-19. Over the next two years, Fardon experienced a recurring cough, a hoarse voice, increasing fatigue, nausea, and night sweats. She sought medical attention multiple times, but was consistently reassured that her symptoms would resolve on their own.
By April 2022, Fardon compiled a detailed list of her symptoms for her general practitioner. This time, she was referred for a CT scan, which revealed extensive cancer in both of her lungs. At 29 years old, Fardon was diagnosed with ALK-positive lung cancer, a type characterized by a mutation in the ALK gene. She had been living a healthy, active lifestyle and had never smoked.
Fardon did not require chemotherapy but was prescribed a daily oral medication designed to target her specific genetic mutation. This treatment was successful in shrinking the tumors and preventing their growth, allowing her to return to work and maintain a relatively normal life. However, in December 2023, a routine MRI scan detected 17 metastatic lesions in her brain.
Treatment and Progression
In January 2024, Fardon underwent gamma knife therapy, a precise form of radiation treatment, to address the brain lesions. Although initially successful, by December 2024, one lesion had progressed, leading to a brain bleed. This necessitated emergency brain surgery to remove the affected lesion, which took place just before Christmas. Following the surgery, Fardon experienced further complications in early April 2025, including headaches and nausea, which she initially attributed to migraines. A seizure led to her being rushed to the hospital, where scans revealed progression in another brain lesion.
Her original medication was changed, and a new treatment has since helped to slow the progression of the cancer. After an additional gamma knife treatment earlier this year, Fardon is now monitored with MRI and CT scans every four months. She has also opted to move her care to the private sector. Fardon currently works four days a week, balancing her professional life with bi-monthly oncologist check-ups and regular scans.
Raising Awareness
Despite her diagnosis, Fardon is determined not to let her stage four condition define her life. She is actively raising awareness and funds for ALK Positive UK, a charity supporting individuals with ALK-positive lung cancer. She plans to participate in a charity cycle race in September. Fardon aims to challenge the public's assumptions about living with incurable stage four cancer, emphasizing that with determination, passion, the right perspective, and strong support systems, individuals can still achieve their goals.