Sunshine Coast Health’s cancer care team are breaking down myths this Lung Cancer Awareness Month, to improve stigma around the commonly misunderstood disease.
Oncology Nurse Practitioner Cassandra Mazza said despite growing research and treatments, many people in the community still believe only people who smoke cigarettes can develop lung cancer.
She said while many cases can be caused by cigarette smoking, there are also patients who have never smoked.
“Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, so it’s not just a disease of smokers,” she said.
Cassandra said the risks of this misconception can be detrimental, for both lung cancer patients who have smoked, and those who haven’t.
“I’ve heard from previous patients that often when they get diagnosed with lung cancer and tell other family or friends that, sometimes their response is, rather than being empathetic to the lung cancer diagnosis, they basically get asked ‘I didn’t know you smoke or used to smoke?’, and this can be quite psychologically damaging.”
“It’s up to us as a community – no one deserves a diagnosis of cancer, so it really doesn’t matter if someone has smoked or not smoked, it’s really about being empathetic to someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.”
She says the misconception can make people who haven't smoked less likely to respond to symptoms or be checked because they don’t realise they’re at risk, while people who do smoke may delay seeking care due to the stigma.
“Symptoms don’t usually present until the cancer has progressed or developed, so it’s really important for people to be proactive with annual health checks, rather than relying on noticing those symptoms.”
Medical Oncologist Associate Professor Bryan Chan said new treatments are making advances in survival and also helping some patients live with their cancer, while maintaining long term good quality of life.
“Whilst every case is individual and you have to talk to your treating team about if this applies to you, I think new treatments are truly offering patients hope and optimism,” said A/Prof. Bryan Chan.
Sunshine Coast Health is involved in a number of clinical trials, playing an important role in generating even more hope for patients.
“We’re an active centre for treating all different stages of lung cancer with different molecules which are groundbreaking and leading the world in terms of new targeted therapies, new types of immunotherapies and also new combinations,” he said.
The health service also has a dedicated Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant, to provide a holistic approach for patients and ensure they’re well supported all round, throughout their journey.
“Hearing the words of being diagnosed with cancer is now recognised as a traumatic event, not only for the patient but all of their family members from each different perspective,” Clinical Nurse Consultant Laura Hanlon said.
“Having that go to support person can alleviate a lot of their worries, as well as linking them with other supports.”