Stigma in Early-Stage Lung Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psychosocial Oncology
• Public Health

Background:

• Lung cancer stigma is well-documented, but research often overlooks early-stage, surgically resectable disease.
• Patient experiences with stigma may differ based on disease stage and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and nature of stigma experienced by individuals with early-stage, resectable lung cancer in Canada.
• To quantify stigma using a validated inventory and explore qualitative experiences.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative assessment using the 25-item Lung Cancer Stigma Inventory (LCSI) in 53 newly diagnosed patients.
• Qualitative data collection through semi-structured focus groups and interviews informed by LCSI results.

Main Results:

• 72% of participants reported clinically meaningful levels of lung cancer stigma.
• No demographic factors correlated with total LCSI scores.
• Qualitative themes included the impact of smoking association, societal attitudes, personal choices, and healthcare experiences.

Conclusions:

• Early-stage lung cancer patients face high rates of stigma, comparable to those with advanced disease.
• Internalized stigma was more prevalent than perceived or disclosure-related stigma.
• Findings underscore the pervasive nature of lung cancer stigma across disease stages.