It’s important to think about your treatment goals and talk them through with your doctor. Together, you can make an informed decision about the right course of action for you. Your goals are personal—and your treatment plan should be, too.
They may vary based on several factors, including:
Your age
Whether you’re working or caring for children
Milestones in your care and your life
If your cancer has spread
What treatments you’ve tried before
Work with your doctor to find an option that considers both your medical needs and your day-to-day priorities.
Treatment considerations for ALK+ NSCLC
With more treatment options available than ever, talk with your doctor about which is best for you.
What to ask your care team about ALK+ NSCLC treatment
Will this treatment help shrink my cancer and keep it from growing?
•Will this treatment work against cancer that has spread to my brain?
•Will it keep working for me even if my cancer develops new genomic changes (also known as resistance mutations) that can cause some treatments to stop working?
Will I be able to stay on this treatment without it getting in the way of my daily life?
•Is this treatment designed to stop the ALK fusions causing my cancer without affecting the parts of my body that keep me well?
•Will the side effects be manageable enough for me to stay on the treatment while keeping up with my normal routine—without major changes to my daily life?
The right treatment starts with asking key questions—so it’s okay to seek another opinion, speak up, and look for a plan that fits your life and goals.
It’s your health so you should feel no guilt about getting second opinions.
—Brandi, lives with ALK+ NSCLC
Advocating for yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do
Start the conversation—your care team is there to answer all your questions.
What to ask about treatment
•What should I expect from treatment?
•Is there therapy designed for my specific cancer?
•What side effects might impact my daily life?
•Is there a clinical trial that may be right for me?
What to ask to stay informed
•How might my cancer change over time?
•Do the potential treatment benefits outweigh the side effects?
•Can I get a second opinion from a doctor who has treated ALK+ NSCLC?
What to ask about next steps
•What should I know about diagnosis and disease progression?
•How do resistance mutations affect my treatment options?
•What are common treatment challenges I might face?
Find strength through support
Below you'll find online support for ALK+ NSCLC from patient advocacy organizations
Peer-to-peer support tailored to people living with ALK+ NSCLC, plus educational tools and events. Visit site
Find survivorship resources, caregiver support, and tools for living with lung cancer. Visit site
Access a support helpline, treatment center directory, and trusted education. Visit site
Learn more about lung cancer research and efforts to improve patient outcomes. Visit site
Support and education focused on research and patient empowerment. Visit site
