Inspiring Warrington mum with incurable cancer shares her story

Stacy Payne, who has never smoked before, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2021 after doctors spotted some unusual shadowing during a routine scan for an unrelated condition.

Two years earlier, Stacy, 36, had been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome - a connective tissue disorder, which affects her skin and joints.

But she was stunned when further tests discovered tumours in both of her lungs, as well as traces of cancer in her lymph nodes.

Stacy went from working full-time as a teaching assistant and enjoying days out with her son Henry to scheduling her life around multiple appointments at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

She has never smoked and had none of the typical symptoms associated with lung cancer. But she has an abnormal ALK gene that means she is more likely to develop certain cancers, including lung cancer.

Stacy Payne (Image: Supplied)

Stacy is currently receiving targeted therapy treatment which has been very effective. A recent scan found that the tumours have shrunk with little trace remaining.

But doctors have warned Stacy that due to the gene abnormality the tumours will grow again and there is no cure once they begin to spread further. She is now being monitored with scans every three months.

There are side effects to Stacy’s treatment including fatigue and nausea. She has also gained five stone in weight since her diagnosis.

 Stacy said: “I may not see my son grow up, I don’t know how much time I have left with him.

“My family took it harder than me at first, I was in shock and they were breaking down around me. It wasn’t until later on that night when it hit me. I said to my grandparents, I don’t want to die.

 “But my most recent scans have shown that the tumour has shrunk, so the treatment is working amazingly well, and I am being monitored regularly.

“I know it’s not gone, and it will come back, but for now it’s reduced in size and it’s what I call ‘stable Mabel’, which is the best we can hope for.

Stacy and Henry (Image: Supplied)

 “Right now, I’m doing everything I can to make sure that when Henry looks back, he doesn’t just think ‘oh I had a mum that was really poorly’, but he looks back and thinks ‘wow my mum was amazing and we did amazing things’.

“People say they are saving for a rainy day, but when is that? I am thankful to cancer for giving me the opportunity to see that the rainy day won’t come if you don’t take it and make the most of the here and now.”

Now, as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Stacy is sharing her story to call for more support to tackle the disease, the UK’s biggest cause of cancer death.  

 It comes as new analysis by Cancer Research UK reveals how progress being made is bringing hope to thousands of families like hers.  

 Researchers found that in the north west, the lives of around 10 people are saved from lung cancer every day.

 And, since the 1970s, around 94,700 deaths have been avoided from the disease in the region thanks to research and improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. 

 Cancer Research UK scientists have been at the forefront of these advances. More than 8 in 10 people with lung cancer who are prescribed cancer drugs in the UK, receive at least one drug that the charity has helped to develop.

Stacy and Henry (Image: Supplied)

And in the last decade, it has invested over £231 million in lung cancer research. This includes the TRACERx study, which has revealed critical insights into how lung cancer evolves and spreads and developing LungVax - the world’s first vaccine designed to prevent lung cancer in people at high risk of the disease. 

For Stacy, who is a patient representative for Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, more progress like this can’t come soon enough.

She said: “Cancer steals time and it steals precious moments. I don’t know how much time I have with my son.

“Cancer sucks, it’s awful. But I have accepted what’s happening. Yes, there’s no cure, yes, I will leave this earthly realm significantly earlier than I’d intended to. But it’s what I leave behind that’s important to me now and I think it’s crucial to talk openly about cancer and raise awareness.

“It’s heartening to hear the mini victories and big wins that are being made in the fight against lung cancer.

“That’s down to the power of research, which is clear in the number of lives that have been saved and the new treatments available, like mine. 

“Cancer Research UK scientists are working to ensure more people survive and that’s something we should all get behind. Progress has been made, but there’s more that can be done, and we need to show our support because every single life matters.”

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jemma Humphreys said: “From uncovering the causes of lung cancer to pioneering drugs to treat it and campaigning for change, we’re powering progress for thousands of people affected by lung cancer – all thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters. But our work isn’t done.  

“We want to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer – no matter who they are or where they’re from. So, we’re grateful to Stacy for sharing her story and helping to highlight why we must go further and faster.  

“This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we hope people will do what they can to show their support - whether that’s backing our Smokefree UK campaign or donating to help our scientists make the next big breakthrough.” 

To support life-saving research, donate monthly to Cancer Research UK at cruk.org/donate