Shortly after Glenys’ 50th birthday, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Along with his cough, he also had a strange pain in his back and used his private health insurance to investigate this further.

As part of the investigation, a CT scan was taken, which showed an abnormality in his chest. A later scan confirmed it was cancer. Luckily, it was diagnosed early and Glenys underwent surgery without the need for further treatment.

Glenys also quit smoking immediately after her diagnosis. He said: “My recovery was not easy. I suffered a lot of nerve pain after the surgery. I returned to work but had difficulty due to the painkillers I was on.

“I tried to talk myself out of it and find other ways to relieve the pain, but it was a difficult time. Then one day in 2020 the pain was gone! But even after the physical pain subsided, I faced a long journey mentally. It took me a long time to accept my diagnosis, and that definitely included lung cancer.” Attitudes towards cancer are also added.

“What I hated and still hate is when you tell someone you have lung cancer and their immediate response is, ‘Have you smoked?’ and then they nod knowingly when the answer is yes.”

“It’s all about blame, and while I accept that smoking contributed to my lung cancer, no one tells an overweight person diagnosed with cancer that they need to manage their weight better.

“It doesn’t help anyone to blame someone for causing their own cancer. It’s a painful and unnecessary question, and many people who get lung cancer have never smoked. That’s exactly why I think terms like smoker and non-smoker should be avoided.”

Six years after Glenys was diagnosed and she had her last annual scan at the beginning of 2024. Although the fear of cancer returning is a constant thought in her mind, she still has the good things in her life, namely her daughters, grandchildren and two dogs, and they also help raise awareness about lung cancer.

Glenys shares her story as part of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s Drop the Labels campaign for lung cancer awareness month; This campaign calls on us all to stop thinking of lung cancer in terms of ‘smokers’ and ‘non-smokers’.

Paula Chadwick is chief executive of the lung cancer charity. He said: “Glen’s story is so important. Not only does it show us that lung cancer can be treated successfully when caught early, it also brings into focus the taboo subject of smoking.

“Many of the people we speak to and support are embarrassed to talk about smoking. By speaking candidly about his own experience with smoking, Glen helps us confront the stigma that plagues this disease and helps many who are denied the chance of an earlier life-saving diagnosis.”

For more information about the Drop the Labels campaign or if you are concerned about symptoms, please visit roycastle.org.