A Holistic Look at a Devastating Disease

By Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, MPH
July 7, 2026 | VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2

For many clinicians, myself included, providing a patient with a dire diagnosis is never easy. Regardless of how many times we rehearse it in our head or have those discussions, each encounter leaves us seeking empathy for our patients as they digest the news. And with lung cancer, there is something to this diagnosis that has greater personal implications than with other diagnoses.

The thought, “I did this to myself,” can create a notion of suffering and capitulation for patients who have smoked and/or have struggled to become tobacco-independent. “Why is this happening to me?” is equally as difficult to take on as a patient, given that society’s understanding of lung cancer is as a malignancy due to cigarettes, with little room for any other risk factors to be considered.

In this release of CHEST Advocates, we take a look at lung cancer from all perspectives—from the patients to the public health scientists to the community advocates.

In the feature, you’ll meet Rage Geringer, MD, a pulmonologist who serves Wyoming’s rural community; Jordyn Gunville-Pourier, PhD, MPH, a public health scientist and representative of the Miniconjou Lakota nation; and Francisco Cartujano-Barrera, MD, a physician doing extensive research on tobacco cessation in the Latino community. Together, they paint of picture of how disparities in lung cancer care came to be—despite continual advances in the field—and what is being done to overcome these inequities. 

In one article, we highlight the story of a patient who not only had never used cigarettes but is also a physician. Jenna Taglienti, MD, shares how her lung cancer diagnosis both impacted her personally—being diagnosed with a disease that carries social stigma—and also changed her professional point of view, particularly in caring for patients. You’ll hear from Heidi Onda and Pierre Onda, MD, MPH, who cofounded The White Ribbon Project in the wake of Heidi’s lung cancer diagnosis to combat the shame associated with the disease and raise awareness surrounding lung health.  

You’ll read about Clifford Mitchell, MD, MPH, who works at the state level to advocate for increased awareness and testing surrounding the second-leading cause of lung cancer: radon. We feature Otis Brawley, MD, who advises caution when it comes to lung cancer screenings and recommends that clinicians help their patients make informed decisions. We also connected with 2019 CHEST Research Grant recipient Jun-Chieh James Tsay, MD, whose research on the lung microbiome has led to tremendous advancements in understanding disease progression.

Lastly, take a closer look at how CHEST is supporting the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act, legislation that would improve access to screenings and reduce the financial impact on patients.

For me, this issue of CHEST Advocates is important on a personal level. My own father, a painter and carpenter, was exposed to a significant amount of asbestos and other occupational hazards during a time when occupational standards were still being created. As he has aged, he has battled one rare issue after another. In fact, many of his colleagues have become my patients, struggling with pulmonary issues and lung cancers. Therefore, as you dive into this edition, let the stories we have collected result in advocacy that can begin in the clinic and end in the community.