Readers Respond: The Stigma of Lung Cancer

Have you felt "stigmatized" or discriminated against in any way because you have lung cancer? Do you feel that people with other forms of cancer, for example breast cancer, are given more support? Please share your story. You may help other lung cancer survivors feel less alone, while we all work together to raise awareness that all cancer patients are created equal and deserve our support and respect. Share Your Story

Cancer at work . . get away from me!

Recently, I had two supervisors call for a just cause UA because of a minor fender bender in the parking lot. WOW. if I had been taking anything other than chemo I would of lost my job. I guess I'm lucky after 5 years of stage III not to have any pain that requires narc's . . . but OMG to single me out like this was so unprofessional.....

—Guest Tommy Sparks

Stigma of Lung Cancer

The stigma of lung cancer is really a superstitious and vain warding-off. "Was he a smoker?" really means "I don't smoke, so I'll never get it." It also doesn't say that he smoked but that "a smoker--NOTHING ELSE--was WHAT HE WAS." It's ignorant, primitive, and f*d up. I don't care about the fantasies of invulnerability these people have, but I do care about the pain they inflict in order to preserve that fantasy of their own invulnerability.

—Guest Tommy Tim

never,never,never, give up

I was diagnosed with stage 4 non small lung cancer in 2006, I did smoke, but quit right away after my diagnosis.Had chemo, radiation. In 2011cancer metastic to my brain. In Aug 2012, I had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor in my brain, It's a wonderful Life, dont give up. Iam 73.

—Guest renate

Stigma Fools

Almost one year ago almost to the day I discovered the tumor that led to the breast cancer that was to be my future. After treatments, the outlook was sunny for me. Bla, bla, bla. In June 2012, lung cancer came along. Stage 4 in 3 weeks from a clear xray to a 8cm tumor. New cancer,not breast related. Very rare I was told, but there it was. Putting on the act of a strong middle aged woman with very little time and even less options helps in no way the stigma that I feel because it's the lung and not the breast that will kill me. Apparently the breast was sympathletic, but now I deserve to croak because I was a smoker. Cancer is an insidious killer which no one should have to die from, especially in this day and age. I will not see my daughter become the woman that will rock this world, I will not see the benefits of working myself to death, literally, nor will I be able to avail myself of that miracle thats just around the corner. Stigma is bad, but death is the cure for lung cancer.

—AmandainKC

Stop the stigma

Mom is 77 and diagnosed with stage 3 non-small cell 14 months ago. Had chemo/radiation and is doing well, but latest CT showed many new nodules in lungs. Although no symptoms likely more cancer (awaiting biopsy). She quit smoking in 2000, but started in 1951. Smoking then had zero stigma and was practically a social norm. Even through the early 1980s there was very little stigma attached to smoking. Personally, I think knowing the association between smoking and cancer it is unbelievable the government has not banned tobacco. Freedom of choice is a ridiculous argument. Government has an obligation to protect citizens. A prohibition on tobacco would be welcome by the majority of Americans and would in no way parallel the previous prohibition on alcohol in the 1920s. Probably too late for my mom, but not too late for millions of future moms if society and its leaders simply do the right thing.

—Guest Agreed!

Stage 4 lung cancer victinsince 2008

I was told 6mos-2 yrs. by 3 oncologists. Had r. upper lobe removed, have been through radiation 3X chemo 2X, I'm a fighter. I have good DRS. a good attitude, faith in the Lord. So, I'll go when he calls me home, until then I'm gonna kick cancer's a**. Now 50 yr. grandma. Ill since May of 2008.

—Guest meemawmyso

stigma of all things

I was diagnosed lung cancer 4 months ago. my feelings at first is why there is so much publicity for finding the cure for breast cancer and not so much for lung. it still bothers me. but as the world has conformed to people smoking that has caused this disease. I started smoking when I was 12 years old and here now I am at 41 with cancer. I had smoked for 28 years and diagnosed with this awful disease. I too like cherilee, kind of depressing when you think they only give you 3-5 years. With that being said, I won't be able to see my baby boy graduate high school. Not going to go along with that! I will be the 20% or so that will see a long healthy life! Editor's note: I'm cheering for you!

—Guest lucyp

My Dad had Lung and Brain cancer ...

My mother always smoked and she died young, at 52 in 1987, but not from lung cancer - from Cirrhosis of the Liver from drinking - and she had been a smoker for at least 30 years. So, for years, my dad was breathing in 2nd hand smoke. He was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer in April, 2007 and was gone by July 2nd the same year. He was supposed to have 3 months, but only had about 5-6 weeks. I'm not sure if my mother's 2nd hand smoke caused my dad's lung cancer, but it's certainly a possibility!

—SuzyScorp

Smoking is Hard to Quit

I'm living with lung cancer now. I was diagnosed 03/23/2010 and had my right lung removed 0n 04/05/2010. I know there is a stigma involved. I started smoking in 1964 as a teenager at this time it was cool to smoke and peer presure drove many young teens to smoke. I quit several time over the years and for many years at a time but finally quit in 2005 for good 5 years before I was diagnosed. People should not judge because many smokers start in the 50's and 60's and smoking is a terrible habit that is difficult to quit. Drop the stigma and put more effort to keep young people away from cigarettes. Cancer is scary proposition and people should help regardless of the type of cancer.

—Guest Gary

GONE TOO SOON

My Father died of lung cancer. He too was a smoker, but in those days there was never any meaningful information to let people know that if you smoke you will get cancer. He only lived 6 weeks after being diagnosed.

—Guest Sherry

Stigma of Lung Cancer

I have never touched a cigarette in my life nor been around people who smoke, I am 55yrs. and have stage IV lung cancer! I have no radon in my home. I am a vegetarian, water purifier, air purifier and the oncologist said my cancer is not hereditary.

—Guest Gina

subterrain living stigma too?

Living in flat that is half underground, can mean high exposure to radon, possible lung cancer outcome. Is stigma attached here too? Where does this non-sense stop? Cut the crap people! Try to do the commonsense thing and care for yourselves. Everything else will try to get you. Why allow STIGMA get you too?

—Guest the other side of the coin

Living with a timebomb

I fell upon this website by accident, and some of the information in it is scary! I was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer Nov 07 and had 4 months of radiotherapy for 6 weeks and chemo for twelve, both at the same time! I celebrated my two years off all clear in april this year! Im scared by the information I have read! apparently I only have a 30-50% chance of living 5 years! I have just had my 40th birthday. I did smoke, I started at 18 but both my grandparents died of it young too! Yes there is a stigma now, however its too late for me! The only thing that will stop people from dying from lung ca is to ban cigarettes altogether, cause like any addiction, once your hooked its very difficult to give up! I had no signs or symptoms and it was found on a routine xray! Sometimes I feel lucky, sometimes sad for my four kids who will inevitably, marry and have babies without me there to help and be proud! Its a cruel world out there but until my time comes I will SMILE! Join me

—Guest Cherrolee

Stigma has no place here!

Dear Missing Mom..You seriously think there is no stigma attached to smoking these days? You should take a good hard look at how many tax dollars are taken out of the pockets of smokers all in the name of "curing them of their addictions" meanwhile, little if any of that money actually goes to smoking related diseases or even to sponsor "free" smoking cessation programs! Name-calling & finger pointing has never been a very effective tool to get people to quit smoking. If it were, wouldn’t we be living in a tobacco free society by now? At what point do we balance the quit smoking campaigns with some solid research and funding for curing a disease that also takes the lives of people that have never touched a cigarette or have already quit. Cigarettes are most certainly a contributing factor; but it IS NOT the sole cause of lung cancer. No stigma you say–phooey! Smokers & reformed smokers are virtually Lepers in the country! btw-my mom smoked & aunt did not, both died of lung cancer.

—Guest Missing Mom Aunt

Stigma attached to the wrong place

I lost my mother nine years ago after a diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. It was far too late for treatment. I was told she had about three months to live...she died six weeks after diagnosis. Mom had been smoking for about 50 years. Her lung cancer was caused by the cigarettes she was so addicted to. Where smoking is not allowed anywhere and everywhere these days, there is no stigma attached to it. There should be. People should be afraid and embarrassed to say they smoke...it should be extremely uncomfortable. If it was, there may not have to be such a stigma surrounding lung cancer.

—Guest Missing Mom

thank you

Thank you for this. My dad died when I was a young teenager after being diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer. It's like people are afraid to say or write the words "lung cancer" these days. It's much more acceptable to crusade for breast cancer or some other kind. He started smoking as a poor young boy in Europe, and while he quit a young man, he had done too much damage. I wish there was a face on this stigma, someone I could tell: "It wasn't his fault."

—Guest daughter