To get the best possible outcome when you're living with lung cancer, you need to be comfortable sharing in the decisions about your care and asking for help and support. You are the expert on you, and you best know your goals, feelings, and needs. Learning to advocate for yourself can be hard, and it may take some practice. But it can boost your sense of control, give you confidence in your treatment plan, and improve your quality of life.

Start by arming yourself with all the information you can get about EGFR-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (EGFR+ NSCLC) and your specific situation. Ask your care team to explain your diagnosis and give you copies of your lab and pathology reports. If you're researching online, stick to websites run by:

• Well-known cancer organizations, including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), American Cancer Society, and others
• Hospitals
• Medical schools
• Government agencies
• Medical journals

Advances in cancer research happen often, so make sure sources are up to date.

Good care takes effective communication, and you can help that along with some prep work. Before your appointments, write down what you want to ask your doctor and what you'd like them to know about you. Time will be limited, so prioritize what's most important to you. Remember, there are no dumb questions. If talking to your doctor feels intimidating, try practicing with a friend. If you don't know what to ask, some of the sites you're looking at for research often have ideas for doctor questions.

If you don't understand something your doctor tells you, say so. It may help to write things down, then repeat them back so your doctor can confirm you heard right. If you're still struggling, ask if there's a patient educator you can talk to. 
It's also important to speak up if you aren't comfortable with how you're being treated or you don't agree with a treatment recommendation. Ultimately, decisions about your care should be up to you.

You also shouldn't hesitate to talk to a different doctor if your current care team isn't a good fit, or if you're unsure about the treatment plan they're recommending. Seeking a second opinion is common, and as long as you bring it up respectfully, your doctor shouldn't be insulted. Even if you don't end up switching doctors, consulting with someone else can help you better understand your options and feel confident in your choices.

Side effects of lung cancer treatment are very common, but you don't have to just live with them. Palliative care helps you manage disease symptoms and treatment side effects, and also helps with stress and anxiety. Ask how you can expect to feel, and tell your care team if you're having any discomfort or if you're frustrated or depressed. There are many ways they can help you, but only if they know what's going on.

Like palliative care, clinical trials aren't only useful when you've tried all other options. Ask your doctor whether there's a new treatment being studied that might benefit you. Clinical trials are carefully controlled research studies that are part of the process of learning more about diseases and developing new treatments. You can find out more and search for studies near you at ClinicalTrials.gov.

You may need to be persistent when you're dealing with health insurance issues. Get familiar with your coverage so you understand the rules about things like referrals and drug tiers. If coverage is denied, ask for an explanation — it may be a simple paperwork mistake, or they may need more information from your doctor about why you need a certain treatment. Be sure you're talking with someone who has the power to make decisions.

It's normal to want to keep your health info private, but you may need to ask for time off from work on days you get treatment or don't feel well. Under state and federal laws, most employers have to provide medical leave or accommodations (like schedule adjustments) to people with cancer. Before you go to your boss or human resources department, do some research into your rights. It may also help to brainstorm solutions that will benefit you both.

Some people think if you get lung cancer, it's your own fault — brought on by bad habits or neglect of your health. You might be worried that others are judging you, and even blame yourself. That can leave you feeling isolated and hesitant to reach out for help and support. But the reality is, no one deserves to be sick. Recognize that these negative thoughts are unfair and let them go so you can focus on getting better.

Communication with those closest to you can be especially difficult when you're going through cancer treatment. You may not want to burden them or cause them to worry, and they may not know how to help, or be afraid of saying the wrong thing. Be honest about what you're feeling and what you need. You may need to set new boundaries and accept different roles. It may help to see a family or relationship therapist.

Look for a support group or online forum where people with NSCLC can connect to exchange ideas and share experiences. They can be a great source of advice on how to advocate for yourself. You can also make your voice heard by getting involved in a campaign to raise awareness about the disease or influence public policy, or by taking part in research opportunities.