Thanks to education and awareness efforts surrounding lung cancer, there is more widespread knowledge that several factors can contribute to the development of lung cancer. However, people living with lung cancer may still experience stigma because of its association with smoking. They may be viewed or treated differently than people with other types of cancers. For example, some individuals may believe that people living with lung cancer "deserve" it or did it to themselves, while others may believe only smokers get lung cancer.
Lung cancer stigma can have a significant, psychosocial impact, including feelings of shame, isolation and guilt. It may even prevent or delay people from seeking treatment, finding help, or sharing their diagnosis because they feel like they are to blame for their disease. Some people living with lung cancer may delay or refuse treatment altogether because of the stigma they face.
It is true that smoking can increase your risk of lung cancer but non-smokers and never-smokers with few or no known risk factors may also get the disease. In fact, over half of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked or are former smokers. About 10-15% of lung cancer cases are among people who have never smoked. Regardless of whether or not a person living with lung cancer is a smoker or has never smoked, they don’t deserve lung cancer. No one does. They deserve quality treatment, compassion and a chance at survival.
Effects of Stigma on Lung Cancer Research Funding
Lung cancer research often does not receive as much research funding as certain other types of cancers despite it being one of the most common types of cancer. However, that does not mean that nothing is being done. In fact, many advocacy groups are working to raise awareness of lung cancer, how anyone with lungs can get the disease, and why research funding is important.
Support for People Living with Lung Cancer
Organizations like the GO2 Foundation, Lung Cancer Research Foundation and LUNGevity are working to reduce stigma and increase support for people living with lung cancer. There are many ways these groups are working to raise awareness of the disease and support people living with it, including:
- Providing in-person and online communities for people living with lung cancer and loved ones
- Sharing stories from people living with lung cancer and loved ones
- Providing educational resources to stop the spread of misinformation about lung cancer
- Working with policymakers to help increase research funding and improve access to healthcare for all people living with lung cancer
- Collaborating with academic institutions and researchers on innovative studies and clinical trials
- Researching the impact of stigma to lung cancer care and outcomes
Ending Lung Cancer Stigma
Whether you are a person living with lung cancer or a loved one, there are ways you can help fight lung cancer stigma:
- Tell your story. You are more than your disease. Whether you smoked or not, no one "deserves" to get lung cancer. Be honest. Sharing your unique story can help end lung cancer stigma
- Confront stigma when you see it. Remind loved ones, healthcare professionals, and strangers that their words can affect and hurt someone living with lung cancer. For example, if your partner comments on how your smoking has taken away your future, that's stigma. Another example is when you tell a coworker you have lung cancer and they respond with "I didn't know you smoked!" When someone talks to you this way, tell them how it makes you feel
- Know the facts. The more you know about lung cancer and who it affects, the more empowered you will be to build awareness, correct myths and misconceptions, and encourage empathy
- Be a part of the lung cancer community. Whether it's joining the LVNG With Lung Cancer community or getting involved with a local support group, sharing your story and messages of hope can make a huge difference to people living with lung cancer who are experiencing stigma