Yvette Ramirez, a 36-year-old living in the Netherlands, had never smoked and had no family history of lung cancer. Yet, she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer after a persistent cough. Speaking to Newsweek, Ramirez shared her shock at the diagnosis, which highlights a growing trend where lung cancer emerges in younger, nonsmoking individuals due to genetic mutations.
Evolving Diagnosis
Ramirez, of Cuban- and Salvadoran-American descent, noticed a cough in September 2022 after moving to the Netherlands. Initially considered seasonal, the cough persisted for months. Her partner encouraged her to seek medical attention, leading to a misdiagnosis of bronchitis by her Dutch general practitioner.
During a winter visit to the U.S., a chest scan showed inflammation but spurred no further investigation. Back in the Netherlands, Ramirez continued to consult doctors, who suspected respiratory infections or tuberculosis. A PET scan revealed a tumor, confirming her cancer diagnosis in February 2023.
Impact and Decisions
At 32, Ramirez learned of her stage 4 EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma, which had spread to her brain. This forced her to confront both her health and the future she envisioned, including the idea of having a family.
Pursuing Passion
Her diagnosis led her to revisit a project she had set aside years before: creating bilingual children’s books. She founded Kuro Libros, an independent publishing brand, debuting with Mi Familia Cubana con Kuro / My Cuban Family with Kuro, inspired by her experiences.
Though hesitant to share her diagnosis initially, she now sees value in telling her story. “Stage 4 lung cancer does not have one face,” she said, stressing that young, nonsmoking individuals can also be affected.
Ongoing Treatment
Starting targeted therapy with osimertinib (Tagrisso) in 2023, Ramirez later switched to erlotinib, resuming osimertinib at a lower dose in mid-2025. MET amplification, a resistance mechanism, led doctors to add tepotinib (Tepmetko) to her treatment plan. She continues treatment, choosing to live with the condition without letting it define her.
Ramirez emphasizes the importance of pursuing meaningful work despite her diagnosis. “It is a way of refusing to let cancer become my entire identity,” she commented.