Empathy Over Judgment: Redefining Lung Cancer
Lung cancer remains the second most commonly diagnosed cancer globally, with over 2 million new cases annually (1). It is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for around 1.8 million deaths each year (2). Despite its prevalence, public understanding of lung cancer remains limited, and misconceptions are widespread.
A significant number of people associate lung cancer almost exclusively with tobacco use, but in the United States, approximately 10-20% of cases occur in people with no history of tobacco use (3). Society’s focus on lung cancer being a “smoker's disease” leads to a deeply entrenched stigma, where cancer is often viewed as a personal failure rather than a complex illness.
Most public education still focuses on smoking tobacco as the primary cause of lung cancer, rather than acknowledging its multiple risk factors, which reinforces this harmful narrative. This has resulted in not only societal stigma but also a psychological burden for people living with the disease. Research shows that lung cancer patients have a higher rate of psychological distress than those with other cancers. This is mainly because the public believes that lung cancer is preventable through personal choice, leading to patients often being blamed for their diagnosis (4).?
Multiple studies show that empathy and acceptance can reduce the shame and blame that patients feel and internalize. They also found that addressing “stigma and distress” improved patients' quality of life (5). It’s up to all of us to start shifting the focus away from the “smoking” narrative and for healthcare to provide more comprehensive and inclusive education. This will help ensure patients feel supported, seek care earlier, and access better resources.
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If you want to help shift the narrative, join us on November 21st, 2024 for ‘A New Lens on Lung Cancer: Infusing Lung Cancer Conversations with HIV Learnings.’ This discussion, featuring people living with lung cancer and care partners, highlights their real-life experiences with stigma and how we can apply lessons from the HIV community to foster a more empathetic and informed approach to lung cancer. Register here for this free webinar, happening on November 21, 2024, at 12pm ET | 9am PT.?
owner at Bellcom Software / VirtualGeorge.com
3 个月Many people don't realize that there are numerous forms of lung cancer and occurring younger people who have never smoked nor been exposed to 2nd hand smoke. My niece is one of these unfortunate young people but early detection due to 'pneumonia' type symptoms and surgery on the cancerous tumors is now being treated and has a fairly good prognosis. I am in touch with a researcher who is a specialist in this field and am very encouraged by the progress being made. And, feel there needs to be more information out there so that those who have this cancer are not afraid to talk about it or feel that it is hopeless. Barbara Kavanagh, MSW,LCSW, Founder and Ceo,Arizona Myeloma Network,AZMN (C)and Cancer Caregivers Education Program, CCEP(C)now Online. www.cancercaregiversaz.com ??
Lung Cancer and Caregiver Advocate, The White Ribbon Project, ALK Positive Support Group, Health Union Writer, Follow Me on Twitter @RhondaMeckstro1
3 个月Thank you for this honest well written story about why stigma exists in lung cancer. Everything the public knows about lung cancer was taught. Public Health Agencies have to accept the unintended consequences and update the lung cancer narrative. They can save lives and end stigma through large scale public health campaigns American Cancer Society American Lung Association Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Survivorship and Supportive Care Leader | Patient Advocate | Nonprofit Board Volunteer | Lifestyle Medicine
4 个月This is such an important reminder about avoiding the stigma associated with lung cancer. Besides the fact that non-smokers can develop lung cancer, we also need to be very careful in judging individuals that smoke and develop lung cancer. Tobacco products are designed to deliver nicotine to the brain in seconds and can be extremely addictive for some individuals. Many of my patients actually started smoking when they were exposed at a young age to smoking adults in their household. They became dependent on nicotine and struggled to stop smoking most of their life. It's important to avoid blame and focus on how each of us as medical professionals can support lung cancer patients in their difficult journey. This leads to a therapeutic relationship with open honest communication with shared decision making.