Slide 1
Support, not stigma
How to raise awareness and reduce stigma about lung cancer
Slide 2
The deadliest cancer
Each year, lung cancer claims more lives than any other type of cancer in the U.S. It is 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 receive so little attention?
Slide 3
Stigma prevents lung cancer from receiving the attention it deserves.
Stigma is like negative criticism. It may not be exact, but it can influence how people think, feel and react.
Stigma around lung cancer leads to:
Fear
Blame
Pity
Blame
Worse health outcomes
Less social support
More illness-related distress
Slide 4
The cost of stigma
If you have lung cancer, you may be facing more than just the disease.
You may receive negative reactions, judgment, or 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 the way they deserve it.
Slide 5
Know the risk factors
While smoking is the biggest risk factor, it is 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.
Slide 6
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 types of cancer.
It doesn’t matter why someone has cancer. Nobody deserves to get it.
If this question comes up, share that it is painful.
Slide 7
Respond to stigma
When you tell people you have lung cancer, they may react with questions or statements that suggest it is your fault.
If they do this, refocus your attention on what matters: what you want them to know and how they can offer support.
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Don’t let stigma stop you from getting treatment
Lung cancer is serious, but catching it early can lead to better outcomes.
If you have ever smoked or have symptoms, don’t let stigma, shame, or fear stop you from getting tested, because testing saves lives.
Slide 9
Share stories
Stigma prevents us from thinking of a person with lung cancer as a mother, father, son, daughter, or friend.
You can help combat stigma by sharing personal stories and experiences to put a human face on lung cancer.
Slide 10
How can we end the 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 the support of Daiichi Sankyo and Merck.
