Lung Cancer Awareness Month

This year, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (RCLCF) is calling time the harmful labels such as smoker and non-smoker that often surround lung cancer. The campaign highlights how such labels can hinder early diagnosis and timely treatment, leading to unnecessary and sometimes deadly delays.

“Labels like smoker and non-smoker can distort what’s really going on and stop people from getting diagnosed sooner. If someone has smoked, they are often more reluctant to seek help because they feel guilty or ashamed. Meanwhile, those who have never smoked can face longer waits for tests, as they don’t fit the perceived profile of someone with lung cancer. Either way, the delays can be deadly.”

With smoking accounting for about 70% of lung cancer cases, it remains the leading cause. However, nearly a third of lung cancer diagnoses have no connection to smoking, so why do these labels still define the disease? How many lives are affected because of these outdated and dangerous perceptions?

Aston spoke to Married at First Sight star Chanita Stevenson.