WTOP’s Neal Augenstein Shares Three-Year journey Living with Stage 4 Lung Cancer
A hopeful narrative is emerging in teh fight against lung cancer, as evidenced by the experience of WTOP’s Neal Augenstein, who has been openly sharing his journey as his Stage 4 diagnosis in 2022. Augenstein’s story underscores the importance of early detection, targeted therapies, and the evolving landscape of cancer treatment, offering a beacon of optimism for patients and their families.
For the first 25 years of his career at WTOP, Augenstein reported on lung cancer primarily through the lens of loss, covering stories of prominent individuals succumbing to the disease – the deadliest and second-most common cancer in the United States. That changed in May 2022 when he received his own diagnosis.
Augenstein’s initial treatment involved a single daily pill that demonstrably shrank cancerous tumors and affected lymph nodes in both lungs.This success paved the way for a robotic-assisted lung lobectomy,and since May 2023,he has maintained a cancer-free status while continuing his daily medication.
Augenstein emphasizes the critical role of biomarker testing for newly diagnosed patients, advocating for waiting for results before initiating treatment. This testing analyzes biopsied lung tissue, frequently enough obtained during a bronchoscopy, to identify specific cell mutations driving the cancer. “The importance of testing is if thay have that mutation, then the treatment is vrey diffrent, and the patient outcomes are also much better,” explained a thoracic medical oncologist with the Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Augenstein was diagnosed with EGFR-positive lung cancer, a subtype with several targeted treatment options available, generally resulting in fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy. While acknowledging that he isn’t considered “cured” due to the initial spread of the cancer from his left lung,Augenstein highlights a significant shift in the perception of lung cancer. In 2025, managing lung cancer can increasingly resemble managing other chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
the cornerstone of this new reality is aggressive surveillance.Augenstein’s protocol includes low-dose CT scans every four months, alongside brain mris and liquid biopsies conducted twice annually. This proactive approach aims to detect any potential recurrence in its earliest stages, allowing for swift intervention through surgery or targeted radiation. He shared a recent positive scan result on social media: “No evidence of intracranial metastasis” – good news from his twice-yearly brain MRI.
The outlook for lung cancer patients is improving, as reflected in the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of Lung Cancer report.The report indicates a 26% improvement in the five-year survival rate, now standing at 29.7%. Ongoing research, including the submission of artificial intelligence, is further enhancing early detection capabilities.
Patients in the D.C. region benefit from a robust network of clinical trials available in Virginia, Maryland, and the District, offering access to innovative treatments and renewed hope. Augenstein regularly discusses trial options with his oncologist, Amin Benyounes, co-leader of the Inova Schar Cancer Institute’s phase One Program.
Benyounes acknowledges the anxieties surrounding clinical trial participation, noting patients frequently enough worry about potential side effects and the emotional toll on themselves and their loved ones. However, he emphasizes the potential for longer survival with fewer side effects. Addressing the fear of disappointment, Benyounes advises patients to “take things one step at a time,” a ideology he initially shared with Augenstein three years ago.
Augenstein’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that a Stage 4 diagnosis is no longer an automatic death sentence. With advancements in biomarker testing, targeted therapies, and vigilant surveillance, a future of living with lung cancer – and thriving – is increasingly within reach.
