Has anybody had any stigma directed at them for having lung cancer?
I'm only at the beginning and yet I'm already getting the feeling from reading about lung cancer that there isn't as much sympathy for people with lung cancer as there is for other types.
(Jusr to stress that this place is brilliant and full of compassion,)
I'm talking about attitudes 'out there'.
Even the media and film makers play along with it.
No fluffy pink ribbons and moonlit walks for us.
No romantic/tragic films such as the Fault in our stars or My sisters keeper.
As far as I'm concerned.cancer is cancer and it's enough having to deal with cancer without people being judgemental on top of it. I'm sure I'll get asked countless times do/did you smoke? Even my family have started down that line.
I don't get it,.
Lots of cancers have lifestyle factors that can make you pre disposed to getting it.
An example is:
It's been suggested that eating meat, especially cured meat can make you more susceptible to bowel cancer, but people wouldn't dream of saying to someone with bowel cancer
"Did you eat too many bacon sandwiches?"
And yet lung cancer patients are continually asked about smoking.
I'm sure there are other cancers besides lung cancer that are also stigmatised, for instance people are made to feel ashamed because they have cancer in an embarrassing part of the body.. That's not right either.
But there's a special kind of judgement reserved for lung cancer patients.
Nobody, no matter what their cancer, should be made to feel ashamed when theyre basically fighting for their lives. Nobody.
I would like to see a campaign that would address this issue.
Rant over
Sorry am feeling fragile. Formal diagnosis tomorrow
