EDISCIENCES

ABSTRACT

Prior to the National Cancer Act of 1971, cancer was a poorly understood disease that was viewed as a death sentence. Cancer stigma, a pernicious phenomenon whereby cancer patients are labelled and discriminated against due to their diagnosis, is rooted in these early days of confusion and fear surrounding cancer. Indeed, the subject of cancer was so taboo that many physicians hid a cancer diagnosis from their patients, and a pervasive fear of “catching cancer” contributed to stigma. Since the passage of the National Cancer Act, a surge of research has advanced our understanding of cancer etiology, informed new treatment approaches, and increased survival rates for some cancers. Consequently, stigma stemming from general discomfort with discussing death or fear of “catching cancer” has decreased, but other types of cancer stigma have emerged. As the prospect of life after cancer has become more certain, individuals struggle with cancer survivorship issues including the permanent effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery; concerns arising from altered body image; and economic, workplace, and other societal repercussions. Patients with lung cancer are particularly likely to face stigma. It is often assumed that all patients with lung cancer have used tobacco, a belief putatively linked to anti-smoking campaigns, leading to a judgment that they are responsible for their diagnosis. Such stigmatization is associated with negative mental health outcomes (e.g., depression, isolation) and may contribute to increased time to diagnosis, placing patients at greater risk of poor prognosis. Addressing cancer stigma therefore represents an important public health concern. While we have come a long way in addressing cancer stigma since the National Cancer Act 50 years ago, there is still work to be done. Identifying best practices for reducing cancer stigma and maintaining the psychological well-being of patients with cancer should be a focus of continued research.