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Lung cancer is largely thought of as a smoker’s disease. In fact, in a recent Twitter poll conducted by USA TODAY, 62.7% of more than 22,400 respondents indicated they believe this to be the case. Less than one-third (29.3%) responded negatively to the question, “Do you consider lung cancer a smoker’s disease?” and just under 8% indicated they weren’t sure. The reality is that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer and no one, regardless of whether or not they smoke, deserves it. Still, as our survey shows, stigma continues to shape the way many think about this disease. Think you know lung cancer? Test your knowledge below—what you don't know may surprise you.

Lung cancer is largely thought of as a smoker’s disease. In fact, in a recent Twitter poll conducted by USA TODAY, a 62.7% of more than 22,400 respondents indicated they believe this to be the case. Less than one-third (29.3%) responded negatively to the question, “Do you consider lung cancer a smoker’s disease?” and just under 8% indicated they weren’t sure.

How we think and talk about lung cancer matters. It's time to challenge lung cancer stigma and take positive action. Get educated, talk to your doctor or start a conversation with a loved one—all of these things can make a difference when it comes to lung cancer.

Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA TODAY Network were not involved in the creation of this content

Learn more about lung cancer by visiting LVNG.com. If you or a loved one is at high risk for lung cancer, talk to your doctor about low-dose CT scans and visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for more information.

Learn more about lung cancer by visiting LVNG.com. If you or a loved one are at high risk for lung cancer, talk to your doctor about low-dose CT scans and visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for more information.

BY STEPHANIE WALDEN, FOR ASTRAZENECA

Just a smoker’s disease? What you need to know about lung cancer.

Just a smoker’s disease? Here’s what you should know about lung cancer.

Learn More about Stigma and its impact on Lung Cancer

GRAPH IT:

(select a percentage)

Q8.

National Screening Rates for Breast, Colon and Lung Cancer

What is the national screening rate for lung cancer?

Learn More

Q1.

In the US, cancer causes the most cancer-related deaths.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the US among both men and women and accounts for about one-quarter of all cancer deaths: that’s more than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined.

All of the above

Even though research has found that smoking contributes to all four cancers listed above—and many others—many people associate the habit specifically with lung cancer. What’s more, bladder, liver and stomach cancers don't face the same stigma as lung cancer. A recent Harris poll sponsored by AstraZeneca found that 31% of adults believe a person with lung cancer is more to blame for their condition than a person who develops another form of cancer.

Even though research has found that smoking contributes to all four cancers listed above — and many others — many people associate the habit largely with lung cancer. What’s more, bladder, liver and stomach cancer rarely face the same stigma as lung cancer. A recent Harris poll sponsored by AstraZeneca found that 31% of adults believe a person with lung cancer is more to blame for their condition than a person who develops another form of cancer.

(select an organ or all of the above)

Q2.

Research has found that smoking contributes to the likelihood of developing cancer.

True or false:

Q3.

Lung cancer is more highly stigmatized than other forms of cancer.

True

According to a recent Harris poll by AstraZeneca, more adults (48% vs 39%) feel there is some degree of stigma associated with lung cancer compared to cancer generally. These findings are in line with existing research showing that lung cancer patients report the highest levels of stigma and psychological distress compared to other cancers.

According to a recent Harris poll by AstraZeneca, significantly more adults (48% vs. 39%) feel there is some degree of stigma associated with lung cancer compared to cancer more generally. These findings are in line with existing research showing that lung cancer patients report the highest levels of stigma and psychological distress compared to all other cancers.

Tell Us What You Think

A person with lung cancer is more responsible for their condition than a person who develops another form of cancer.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Unlike most cancers, people with lung cancer are often seen as being responsible for and deserving of their disease. This stigma can have a huge impact on people's mental and physical well-being and often persists regardless of their individual history.

Unlike most cancers, people with lung cancer are often seen as being responsible for and deserving their disease. This stigma can have a huge impact on people's mental and physical well-being and often persists regardless their individual history.

GRAPH IT:

(hover and select a percentage point)

Q5.

What percentage of lung cancer cases occur in never smokers?

True or false:

Q7.

There is no screening available to help catch lung cancer early.

False

Catching lung cancer early and seeking medical treatment right away may increase the chance for better patient outcomes. Unfortunately, many people don’t experience symptoms until later stages when the cancer has spread and is harder to treat—making screening an important early detection tool for those at greatest risk for the disease. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends yearly lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan for people between 50 and 80 years old who: • Have a history of heavy smoking (at least a pack a day for 20 years) and • Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years

Despite the fact that low-dose screening has the potential to significantly reduce lung cancer mortality rates, national lung cancer screening rates remain extremely low. A recent analysis found that only 5% of eligible adults were screened in 2018. A recent Harris poll sponsored by AstraZeneca found that 71% of respondents said fear of a positive lung cancer diagnosis contributed to concerns about getting screened, followed by cost (61%) and access to providers (41%).

79%

42%

Tell Us What You Think

Not At All Confident

Not Very Confident

Somewhat Confident

Very Confident

Lung

Breast

Prostate

Pancreatic

Colorectal

Prostate

Breast

All of the above

Lung

False

True

Thank You

10-15%

Studies have found that up to 15% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are not and have never been active smokers. Genetic mutations and environmental factors including exposure to carcinogens like radon, secondhand tobacco smoke and air pollutants may play a role in this group of lung cancer patients. That said, some of the lung cancer cases in never smokers aren’t attributable to any obvious cause.

False

True

Lung Cancer

Colon Cancer

Breast Cancer

66.8%

72.8%

Lung Cancer

Colon Cancer

Breast Cancer

66.8%

72.8%

I understand how screening works.

I have a few questions but understand how screening works.

I have more questions than answers.

I have a lot of questions.

How confident would you feel talking to a loved one about lung cancer screening?

While lung cancer remains a difficult diagnosis, there are many reasons for people to be hopeful. Advances in treatments are allowing some people with metastatic or late-stage lung cancer to live longer than ever before, and some earlier stages of lung cancer may even be treated with the goal of curative intent. It’s important to remain positive and for you and your loved ones to talk to your doctor about lung cancer.

Thank you

0-1%

6-8%

10-15%

25-30%

Liver

Stomach

Bladder

Tell Us What You Think

]Do you think a diagnosis of lung cancer is a death sentence?

While lung cancer remains a difficult diagnosis, advances in treatment and care are offering people many reasons to be hopeful. That's why it's important to remain positive and for you and your loved ones to talk to your doctor about lung cancer.

Thank you

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

[CEROS OBJECT]Do you think a diagnosis of lung cancer is a death sentence?

Tell Us What You Think

Very Confident

Somewhat Confident

Not Very Confident

Not At All Confident

How confident would you feel talking to a loved one about lung cancer screening?

Do you think a diagnosis of lung cancer is a death sentence?

I have a lot of questions.

I have more questions than answers.

I have a few questions but understand how screening works.

I understand how screening works.

Tell Us What You Think

For those at increased risk for lung cancer, screening can save lives. Starting a conversation and talking to a doctor can make a difference.

Thank you

Catching lung cancer early and starting treatment right away increases the chance for better patient outcomes. Unfortunately, many people don’t experience symptoms until later stages when the cancer has spread and is harder to treat – making screening an important early detection tool for those at greatest risk for the disease.   The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends yearly lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan for people between 50 and 80 years old who:  • Have a history of heavy smoking (at least a pack a day for 20 years) • Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years

There is no screening is available to help catch lung cancer early.

According to research, instances of lung cancer among never smokers is on the rise. The reasons for this are still speculative, although some experts suspect an increase in exposure to environmental risk factors like air pollution may play a role. Lung cancer has been linked to exposure to radon and other carcinogens, secondhand smoke and air pollution. In some cases, people with no known risk factors may develop lung cancer. These cases tend to occur in slightly younger people and are often associated with specific gene mutations different from those in smokers.

According to research, instances of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases among never smokers are on the rise. About 80% to 85% of lung cancers are NSCLC. The reasons for this are still unknown, with experts highlighting the need for more research and underscoring the importance of seeing lung cancer as more than just a smoker’s disease.

True

False

The occurrence of lung cancer in never smokers is rising.

Q6.

True or false:

What percentage of lung cancer cases occur in never smokers?

Studies have found that up to 15% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are not and have never been active smokers. Genetic mutations and environmental factors including exposure to carcinogens like radon, secondhand tobacco smoke and air pollutants may play a role in this group of lung cancer patients. That said, a significant percentage of lung cancer cases in never smokers aren’t attributable to any obvious cause.

What is the national screening rate for lung cancer?

U.S.2