Australia's National Lung Cancer Screening Program—It's Time to Address the Stigma in the Room
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is commencing in Australia in July 2025. This significant public health initiative will maximise earlier detection of lung cancer and improve outcomes for many Australians. However, the adoption of a screening program for a disease that is stigmatised, given the known links between tobacco smoking and lung cancer, creates barriers for participation. In this perspective, we argue the need to challenge public rhetoric around smoking being a 'choice' and the importance of dialogue that is free of judgement and blame towards individuals. We briefly examine initiatives that have been implemented to reduce public stigma and highlight the multi-level considerations to ensure that everyone, regardless of having smoked or not, receives the quality care and support that they deserve.
Authors
- Nathan John Harrison (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1011-8745)
- Kathleen McFadden (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1546-8901)
- Mark Brooke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9595-3548)
- Rachael H Dodd (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8080-6359)
- Marianne Frances Weber (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5731-9651)
- Shakira R Onwuka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8510-6351)
- Lisa Carter‐Harris (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6448-6033)
- Shiho Rose (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7651-5076)
- Christine Paul (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0504-5246)
Institutions
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Flinders University (AU)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute (AU)
- Lung Foundation Australia (AU)
- Hackensack Meridian Health (US)
- Center for Discovery (US)
- Melbourne Health (AU)
- National Health and Medical Research Council (AU)
- University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
- Cancer Council NSW (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Health Promotion Journal of Australia
- Published
- 2025-02-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.70011
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.05
Funders
- University of Sydney