When non-small cell lung cancer has spread too far for surgery to be possible, chemotherapy may be used to try to shrink the cancer improve symptoms and help you live longer. Unfortunately it cannot cure the cancer.

Some people will be helped by chemotherapy but for others it won't be effective and they will have the side-effects of the treatment without any benefit. Usually, the fitter a person the more likely they are to benefit and be able to cope with the side-effects of chemotherapy.

If you decide not to have chemotherapy, your doctor will arrange for you to have supportive treatment. The main aim of this type of treatment is to help you feel more comfortable rather than to control the cancer. Supportive treatments may include:

• Treatments to relieve breathlessness such as radiotherapy, laser therapy or stents.
• Steroids
• Blood transfusions
• Pain killers
• Anti-sickness treatments.

Your specialist or GP will be able to talk over what support there is in your local area. In many parts of the UK there are cancer specialist nurses, often called Macmillan nurses, who can visit you in your home. They have expert knowledge in symptom control and can offer emotional support and practical advice.