Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 11 Aug 2024
Susan Wojcicki Death: What Is The Rare Non-Small Lung Cancer the Former YouTube CEO Suffered From
Wojcicki, 56 had stepped down as the CEO in February 2023 after nine years at the helm, to focus on her dwindling health
Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki passed away after battling non-small Lung cancer for two years, her husband announced in a Facebook post. "My beloved wife of 26 years and mother to our five children left us today after 2 years of living with non-small cell lung cancer," Dennis Troper wrote.
"Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many. Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable. We are heartbroken but grateful for the time we had with her. Please keep our family in your mind as we navigate this difficult time" he said.
Fifty-six-year-old Wojcicki had stepped down as the CEO in February 2023 after nine years at the helm, to focus on her dwindling health. Wojcicki was one of the founders of Google - having rented garage space in her parent's house to co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin to start the company in 1998.
What is non-small lung cancer?
Non-small cell lung cancer is a rare fast-growing lung cancer that can affect anyone, but it typically sets in those who have a long history of smoking tobacco. According to doctors, it can be cured in some people if found early, but for many non-small lung cancers can be fatal. The only way to prevent small cell lung cancer is to stop smoking.
In the United States, about 57 in 100,000 people develop lung cancer, with non-small cell lung representing around 15 per cent of those cancer diagnoses.
How does non-small lung cancer spread?
According to experts, non-small-cell lung cancer starts when healthy cells in your lungs begin to mutate or change into cancerous cells – dividing and multiplying uncontrollably. Eventually, these cancerous cells clump together forming tumours – that being to block your blood or lymph. Non-small cell lung cancer typically spreads to:
- Lymph nodes
- Bones
- Brain
- Liver
- Adrenal glands
Signs and symptoms of non-small lung cancer
According to experts, non-small cell lung cancer that has not spread rarely causes symptoms. However, when the symptoms happen, they include:
- Severe chest pain
- Chronic cough
- Coughing up blood
- Difficulty breathing
- Facial swelling
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Hoarseness in voice
- Swollen neck veins
- Unexplained weight loss
- Wheezing
Apart from smoking, what causes non-small cell lung cancer?
Doctors say it is mostly caused by smokers or those exposed to tobacco smoke - second-hand smoke. Other risk factors include:
- Exposure to radiation from cancer treatments or imaging scans
- Exposure to radon gas
- Exposure to workplace hazards like asbestos, arsenic, nickel, tar, or toxic chemicals
- Having a family history of lung cancer
- Having human immunodeficiency virus or HIV
Ways to reduce the risk of developing non-small lung cancer
Doctors say avoiding tobacco is the best way to prevent non-small cell lung cancer. And so, if you currently smoke tobacco, try to quit as soon as possible. Regardless of how old you are or how long you have been smoking, your lungs begin to heal as soon as you stop.
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