A longitudinal study of lung cancer stigma across 6 months in a trial of supportive care interventions

People with lung cancer commonly experience stigma, however, the temporal impacts are poorly understood. This study investigated changes (using linear mixed modelling) and trajectories (using latent growth modelling) of stigma over a 6-month period in people newly diagnosed with lung cancer, who were participants of a larger trial of supportive care interventions (ACTRN12615000932561). Participants (n = 192) completed surveys which included the Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale. Lung cancer stigma did not vary significantly over time, with mean scores of 53.2 ± 15.6 and 54.0 ± 16.7 reported at recruitment and 6 months respectively (range 31-124, higher scores indicate greater stigma). Two main trajectory patterns were identified: (1) 'Relatively lower stigma trajectory'; and (2) 'Relatively higher stigma trajectory'. Relatively higher stigma trajectories were associated with younger age and a history of smoking. Further research is warranted to identify strategies to reduce lung cancer stigma and explore differences across sub-groups and stages of the lung cancer continuum.