Ask the right question! FairLife L.C.C. sends a message about lung cancer stigma

Ask the right question!

FairLife L.C.C. sends a message about lung cancer stigma

Smoking should be widely considered as an addiction rather than a behavioral choice.

FairLife L.C.C launches the awareness campaign “Ask the right question” about lung cancer, so as to highlight an important social issue – the stigma of lung cancer patients, related to the habit of smoking. The campaign was first launched in Canada and Australia, and is now being run in Europe, in Greece, by FairLife L.C.C.

Lung cancer stigma acts as an extra burden to patients and caregivers. It is based on the perception that lung cancer is necessarily the sole responsibility of patients, due the smoking habit. The majority of lung cancer cases are indeed linked to smoking. 8 out of 10 people with lung cancer are smokers or ex-smokers. However, it is important to know that 15 % of lung cancer patients have never smoked and 35 % had quit before diagnosis.

The stigma of lung cancer creates an extra strain on patients, regardless of their smoking history, and a negative mindset which affects the positive outcome of their treatment.

The necessity to holistically approach lung cancer patients is globally recognized. We therefore need to destigmatize lung cancer and focus on prevention, equal care and support, so as to save more lives. Evidence suggests that stigma can directly affect funding, research and the implementation of lung cancer screening.

The campaign features 8 real stories of patients and caregivers on the website kanetisostierotisi.gr/en/ (Greek and English version). The website includes a report – on lung cancer facts and stigma, and an action plan to highlight the most pressing challenges in the fight against lung cancer in Greece, and solutions to the above related challenges. The research was conducted by the University of Piraeus.

FairLife L.C.C’s campaign is based on an international campaign, aiming to:

change the prevailing perception around stigma and lung cancer.
raise public awareness by posing the right questions, and avoiding the typical “Did you smoke?” question to patients.
feature personal stories, giving voice to real-life people affected by lung cancer.
move the conversation away from blame and shame.
raise awareness of the impact of lung cancer stigma
focus on aspects which will help fight the disease.

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Greece. Almost 9,000 Greeks are diagnosed every year.

The question “Did you smoke?“ carries the stigma of every person living with lung cancer.

FairLife Lung Cancer Care replies « If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer. »

Korina Pateli-Bell, President of FairLife L.C.C. notes: «Every lung cancer patient deserves care and compassion, whether they smoke, have smoked in the past or never have touched a cigarette in their lives. They deserve to have the same chance in life as anyone else, facing a serious disease. »

FairLife invites us to look for answers to key issues, including universal access to therapies and support, and the implementation of lung cancer screening in the national prevention program. The right question can save lives and significantly reduce healthcare costs.

Real stories of lung cancer patients and caregivers raise awareness

FairLifeL.C.C.’s campaign features real stories of patients and caregivers. Milka, Apostolos, Cynthia, Eric, Christos with Vassia, Maria, Athina and Polly share their experiences with the lung cancer stigma.

“We skip stigma. We run for our health.“ Christos Apostolakos

Christos is a stage IV lung cancer patient, receiving targeted therapy. He speaks about the importance of physical exercise to prevent and manage disease. He does not allow stigma affect him. Instead, he focuses on willpower and positive psychology.

“Every person is special. Every person is unique.” Cynthia Mikkelsen

Cynthia lost her mother to Lung Cancer just a month and a half after diagnosis. There were no warning signs. Her fear of screening was rooted in the stigma she carried from being a smoker. Cynthia stresses that every person is special. She underlines the importance of screening and the necessity of equal treatment for all patients.

“Let’s focus on research and innovation. Not stigma.” Polly Gaitani

Polly has been diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, adenocarcinoma, and shares with us her hope for the future. She has never smoked. She tells us about the importance of molecular testing and targeted therapy, which changed her own treatment path. Let’s give priority to research and innovation that can save lives!

“Let’s break the circle of blame and guilt! “ Eric Bell

Eric, a middle school student, lost his father Simon to lung cancer at the age of 12. Simon was 57. Eric talks about his emotions, the injustice he feels about his loss and the importance of screening and access to clinical trials. He condemns the stigma related to smoking and the circle of guilt that afflicted both himself and his beloved father.

“Fear and guilt make a heavy burden. We simply don’t need it.” Athina Baroufi

Athina is a 53 year old mother of three children. A few years ago, following a lung cancer diagnosis, she had surgery on her right lung. She has been living her life ever since, undergoing her regular checkups. Athina speaks about her fears, the different perspective she now has on life and the importance of psychological support. Every day, she feels the stigma through her guilt and carries it, striving for balance in her life.

“We see the person beyond the disease.” Maria Kalabaka

Maria felt the stigma of Lung Cancer, while caring for her mother and her dear friend who were diagnosed late. She stands up to the question “Did you smoke?” and to any lack of empathy and respect toward patients and their loved ones. How do we prevent late stage diagnoses? How should we act for early detection? Let’s become part of prevention!

“Empathy is a sign of civilization.” Milka Ivanova

Milka, a passive smoker, has been diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and talks about the courage she found to move on, despite family issues and uncertainty about the future. She has now completed immunotherapy and is getting her life back into balance. Milka has felt the stigma associated with smoking and hopes for more empathy towards people impacted by lung cancer.

“Don’t ask “Did you smoke“? Just ask“How do you feel“?“ Apostolos Kyriakis

Apostolos lost a loved one to Lung Cancer. He talks openly about the smoker’s stigma which adds an extra burden to patients. All people should have our support. No one should feel alone. Whether they smoked in the past, now smoke or have never smoked in their lives.

Stigma concerns us all. We become part of the effort by showing support to people impacted by lung cancer!

FairLifeL.C.C.’s awareness campaign has been brought to life with the kind support of LungAmbitionAlliance-AstraZeneca, Roche, MSD, Pharmaserve-Lilly

The campaign is under the auspice of: Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC),Lung Cancer Europe, Association of European Journalists, Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO), Hellenic Association of Lung Cancer (HeALC), Hellenic Thoracic Society (HTS), Hellenic Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (HCTSS), Hellenic Society of Radiation Oncology (HESRO), Hellenic Radiological Society, Hellenic Nurses Association, Hellenic Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (HCTSS), Hellenic Psychological Society, Greek Patient Association, Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK).

Changing the perception of lung cancer stigma as a strategic priority in Europe.

Reducing the smoking stigma and addressing lung cancer is a strategic priority in Europe. Smoking is one of the major risk factors for lung cancer, it is therefore important to encourage people not to smoke. However, smoking needs to be widely recognized as an addiction rather than a behavioral choice. Every smoker should have proper support and treatment to be able to quit. Awareness campaigns and anti-smoking education are vital to combat the smoking stigma and the lack of empathy towards people diagnosed with lung cancer.

We should also realize that smoking stigma can act as a barrier to seeking appropriate lung cancer care and participating in lung cancer screening programs.

FairLife – Lung Cancer Care

FairLife- Lung Cancer Care is the only non-profit organization, exclusively dedicated to lung cancer in Greece. FairLife L.C.C.’s mission is to holistically support people impacted by lung cancer, aiming to improve their quality of life throughout their journey from diagnosis to treatment.

FairLife L.C.C. works:

– to raise public awareness about prevention and early diagnosis, so as to reduce mortality rates
– for the right to be informed about lung cancer
– to promote equal access to diagnostic methods, clinical trials and innovative treatments
– to indicate the need for psychological support for patients, their families and caregivers
– to eliminate lung cancer stigma related to smoking.

FairLife – Lung Cancer Care was founded in memory of Simon Bell, 57, who lost the battle with lung cancer in August 2020.

Communication Manager FairLife L.C.C.:
Nelly Kapsi
Napoleontos 18, 16675 Glyfada

Tel: 213 0165784
FairLine 111 57