By Dr Kgothatso Motumi, head of market access and public policy for Roche Pharmaceuticals South Africa
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, aimed at raising critical awareness about the disease.
It is the leading cause of cancer death globally, with more than two million people diagnosed worldwide each year.
When diagnosed early, however, a patient is 13 times more likely to live for five years or longer.
Motumi shared insight into this all-too-common killer.
The cost of shame
One of the biggest challenges patients face following early lung cancer detection is the negative stigma associated with the disease.
Patients frequently feel shame when they are diagnosed with this ‘smokers’ disease’ and are less likely to seek support.
These common feelings can also cause additional stress and health problems.
Lung cancer patients may feel isolated or blame themselves, leaving them unlikely to speak openly about their illness.
And even where lifestyle was not a cause of the illness, society at large has preconceptions about lung cancer, which can make patients feel judged.
“I felt such shame that I may have been responsible for causing myself the lung cancer diagnosis. Having to face that stigma is such a terrible thing to deal with besides facing a cancer diagnosis,” said Susan, a cancer patient.
“As noted by the American Lung Association, ‘no one deserves cancer’. Support and empathy are vital parts of the patient journey and tools that contribute towards survival. But the myths and misconceptions surrounding lung cancer have been around for many years and won’t disappear overnight.
“This makes it even more important to raise awareness, debunk stigmas and give the disease a human face. Lung cancer does not need to be a death sentence.
Andy’s story
Andy was diagnosed with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive lung cancer in August 2017, having experienced troubling symptoms.
Thanks to dramatic improvements in the diagnosis of lung cancer, however, Andy went back to work and continued living a full life.
“I first realised something wasn’t right when I started feeling a bit off-balance. It was as if I was drunk.
“I went to see my physician and was diagnosed with a brain tumour, with lung cancer being the cause.
“I was so taken aback. I am a healthy person. I eat well, exercise and I have never smoked in my life. That was the first time I learned about genetic mutations causing lung cancer and that the percentage of lung cancer patients who didn’t smoke was so high.
“There wasn’t anything I could do other than deal with it. I had to focus on my recovery. I had to be proactive and support my treatment plan.
“The first step was about getting me stronger. But there was a tumour pressing down on my spinal column, interfering with the signals to my feet.
“So the focus shifted to long-term treatment and improving my prognosis. With treatment, the tumour was reduced to where I was fit and healthy enough to return to work.
“It was important to realise that life goes on. There are more and more options out there with new generations of drugs.
“The aim is to make cancer a chronic illness, like diabetes – one that can be treated so that people can continue to live a full life with cancer in the background.”
Some of the most common lung cancer myths:
Myth: Only smokers get lung cancer.
Up to 20% of deaths caused by lung cancer occur in people who have never smoked or used any other form of tobacco.
Other causes of lung cancer include exposure to radon gas, second-hand smoke, air pollution, asbestos or diesel exhaust fumes.
Non-smokers may also have gene mutations that make them more likely to develop lung cancer.
Myth: Lung cancer only happens in older adults.
Although lung cancer is most diagnosed among people 55-84 years of age, it can occur at younger ages.
Myth: If you get lung cancer at an older age, there is no use in treating it.
Although comorbidities, which are more likely in older patients, may affect outcomes, age alone should not decide whether intervention is appropriate.
The prognosis is still significantly better in older patients.
Myth: Lung cancer is a death sentence.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths.
However, there has been a decline of roughly 2.2% in the death toll over the last 10 years.
The long-term prognosis is unique to each patient and statistics don’t take all the variables into account.
It cannot always be predicted exactly how an individual will be affected.
Early diagnosis, early intervention
“Lung Cancer Awareness Month aims to encourage early diagnosis. Many important factors influence patient outcomes.
“Education about the complexity of lung cancer, the variety of people affected and the damaging effects of lung cancer stigma can help foster better patient care. It is also an opportunity to champion global access to care and provide potentially life-saving support for patients and their loved ones.”
