Lung cancer stigma
Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada and is the leading cause of cancer death. Anyone can be diagnosed with this disease. However, lung cancer is considered one of the most stigmatized cancers.
A large reason for the stigma around lung cancer is the association to smoking, even though there are many risk factors and it is not limited to people with a history of smoking. Research has shown that many people believe those living with lung cancer deserve blame for getting the disease. This view is unfair, as everyone with cancer deserves care and support throughout their experience.
The stigma around lung cancer can negatively affect all members of the lung cancer community – from people living with lung cancer, their family or caregivers, to doctors, researchers and funders. People with lung cancer feel that they don’t get the same level of support or compassion as others, sometimes including their own healthcare team. When cancer is misunderstood, it can lead to many personal and public health consequences.
At the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), we provide support and hope to people with all types of cancer. Angus Pratt and Bev Moir are living with lung cancer and are sharing their stories to spread awareness and help change the stigma around this disease.
Angus's story
Angus Pratt’s experience with cancer started in his family. His mother died of breast cancer and his brother had male breast cancer. In 2018, Angus had already been living with male breast cancer when he was diagnosed with lung cancer as another primary cancer.
Living with two cancers led Angus down a path of advocacy for the cancer cause, particularly for lung cancer awareness and research. While building connections in the breast cancer community, he noticed a lack of attention and connection among people living with lung cancer.
While volunteering for multiple councils, conferences and organizations over the years to advocate for cancer research, Angus has seen firsthand the stereotypes associated with lung cancer. In particular, the assumption that all people living with lung cancer are smokers. He notes that anyone can get lung cancer, and he has seen that there’s a growing number of young women being diagnosed with lung cancer that has nothing to do with smoking.
The association that we have created with lung cancer and smoking is so powerful and so damaging. I’ve heard people say, ‘If you’ve got lung cancer, you deserve it because you’re a smoker’ and that is so far from the truth. If you’ve got lungs, you can get lung cancer. This slogan has been adopted by the lung cancer community to make it clear that no one deserves lung cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. In 2024, 21,000 people in Canada died from lung cancer, which is about the same number of deaths as breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. Yet, lung cancer receives a small amount of research funding.
In 2021, Angus became a Canadian Cancer Society patient partner on the Advisory Council on Research (ACOR) alongside a group of researchers to help guide funding decisions and directions. He believes that funding is necessary to change the narrative around lung cancer, and it’s important to have patient voices at senior levels of decision making because of their unique perspective on research.
“I think one of the reasons that lung cancer has never been prioritized for research is the fact that we haven't lived long enough to develop the advocacy groups and the awareness of lung cancer as a disease,” Angus says. “Lung cancer patients die so quickly. People don't get to hear those personal stories. Now that there's a cohort of us who are living longer and having the opportunity to develop credibility as we speak in this space. We're being heard.”
We need the stories – telling the stories of people who have lung cancer and getting that information in front of the public.
Angus continues to share his story to help change the future of lung cancer, dedicating himself to advocacy and supporting people in the cancer community.
Bev's story
When Bev Moir decided to see her doctor for two lingering colds in 2019, she did not expect to learn she had stage 4 lung cancer. At 68 years old, Bev lived a very healthy life. She had never smoked, she ate and slept well, and hadn’t been feeling very different before her diagnosis. The diagnosis came as a complete shock, and it helped her realize that anybody can be diagnosed with lung cancer.
Despite this, when people in Bev’s life learned she had lung cancer, they often asked if she had a history of smoking. Up until her diagnosis, she too, thought smoking was the only risk factor for lung cancer.
“Up to 20% of us [living with lung cancer] have never smoked. That’s the part that the public aren’t aware of, and we need more awareness about that,” Bev says. “When people did ask me if I had smoked, I looked at it as an opportunity to change their mindset and say, ‘No, I have never smoked and in fact, anybody who has lungs can get lung cancer.’ And then I would go on to explain how subtle the symptoms are and how even primary care workers are not looking for lung cancer in somebody who has never smoked.”
When Bev reflects on living with lung cancer, she realizes that as a generalization, many people don’t think about protecting their lungs in their daily lives. Yet, pollution, second-hand smoke and radon are common risk factors.
“It’s really important for people to be proactive and not take their health for granted. Get your vaccinations, go for screening if you’re eligible to go for screening,” she says.
Since her diagnosis, Bev has gotten involved in public speaking and advocacy for lung cancer awareness and change.
It was part of my learning about lung cancer and developing awareness that the stigma has held it back, and it needs to change. I am very passionate about raising awareness and trying to drive change for lung cancer so all lung cancer patients have access to the diagnostic tools that are necessary, to get the right type of medication, and the ongoing support and care that they need.
According to the 2023 Canadian Cancer Statistics report, 70% of lung cancers are found at stage 3 or 4. Less than 16% of people who are diagnosed at these late stages are expected to survive more than 5 years after their diagnosis.
“It is really important that lung cancer is screened and diagnosed earlier when there are more options for treatment and better outcomes for those living with lung cancer. One of the limitations of the screening programs now is that they’re designed for those at high-risk – people with a long history of smoking,” Bev says.
Anyone can be diagnosed with lung cancer. The screening criteria needs to be broadened to include more people. The screening programs that exist right now would never have found me and diagnosed me at an earlier stage.
As a lung cancer advocate, Bev understands the importance of advocacy, and encourages anybody with a serious lung issue to speak up.
“We do make a difference. It’s important for the policy makers to understand what it’s like to live with a lung cancer diagnosis and to understand how that impacts our lives. We can bring that message home by sharing our stories,” Bev says.
It’s important for me as a lung cancer advocate to speak up for those who can’t. In the 5 years that I’ve been living with lung cancer, many fellow lung cancer patients and friends have passed away. If I’m ever reluctant to speak up, if I’m nervous about speaking to decision-makers, I think of those people who no longer have a voice and it just propels me forward.
Help us change the future of lung cancer
Despite the advancements in treatment, screening and diagnosis, lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada.
CCS and partners have launched the 2026-2035 Pan-Canadian Lung Cancer Action Plan – a roadmap to reduce lung cancer deaths by 30% over the next decade. Developed with input from patients, caregivers, clinicians, Indigenous Elders, researchers, health charities and government representatives, the Action Plan aims to prevent lung cancer, find it earlier, accelerate research, and make sure access to best-in-class care is timely and equitable.
CCS is calling on governments, health system leaders, researchers, industry, communities and individuals to work together to solve the country’s lung cancer crisis.
Learn more about our Lung Cancer Action Plan.