Support Not Stigma: How to Talk About Lung Cancer

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Support, Not Stigma

How to raise awareness and reduce stigma about lung cancer 

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The deadliest cancer

Each year, lung cancer takes more lives than any other kind of cancer in the U.S. It’s the second most common cancer in women and has one of the lowest survival rates. 

But it lacks awareness, funding and support. 

Why does lung cancer get so little attention?

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Stigma keeps lung cancer from getting the attention it deserves. 

Stigma is like a negative review. It may not be accurate, but it can influence how people think, feel and react. 

Stigma around lung cancer leads to:

Fear

Guilt

Shame

Blame

Worse health outcomes

Less social support

More illness-related distress

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The cost of stigma

If you have lung cancer, you may face more than just the disease. 

You may receive negative reactions, judgment or a lack of empathy from loved ones, strangers and even healthcare providers. 

No one deserves cancer, but people with lung cancer are often made to feel like they do. 

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Know the risk factors

While smoking is the biggest risk factor, it’s not the only one. Other risk factors for lung cancer include:

Family history

Air pollution

Exposure to radon, asbestos or secondhand smoke 

Lung cancer can affect anyone. 

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Smoking and stigma

People who have lung cancer are often asked, “Did you smoke?” But we don’t ask questions like this about most other cancers. 

It doesn’t matter why someone has cancer. No one deserves to get it.

If this question comes up, share that it’s hurtful.

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Respond to stigma

When you tell people you have lung cancer, they may react with questions or statements that suggest it’s your fault.

If they do this, bring attention back to what matters: what you want them to know and how they can offer support. 

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Don’t let stigma keep you from treatment

Lung cancer is serious, but catching it early can lead to the best outcomes.

If you ever smoked or are having symptoms, don’t let stigma, embarrassment or fear keep you from getting screened — because screening saves lives. 

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Share stories

Stigma keeps you from thinking of a person with lung cancer as a mother, father, son, daughter or friend.

You can help fight stigma by sharing personal stories and experiences to put a human face on lung cancer.  

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How can we end stigma? 

Raising awareness, educating people, and increasing empathy can help stop stigma and change the public’s view of lung cancer.

This educational resource was created with support from Daiichi Sankyo and Merck.