Australia's National Lung Cancer Screening Program—It's Time to Address the Stigma in the Room

Shiho Rose; Kathleen McFadden; Nathan J. Harrison; Rachael H. Dodd; Shakira Onwuka; Christine Paul; Lisa Carter-Bawa; Mark Brooke; Marianne Weber

doi:10.1002/hpja.70011

Australia's National Lung Cancer Screening Program—It's Time to Address the Stigma in the Room

Shiho Rose, Kathleen McFadden, Nathan J. Harrison, Rachael H. Dodd, Shakira Onwuka, Christine Paul, Lisa Carter-Bawa, Mark Brooke, Marianne Weber

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Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Article number	e70011
Number of pages	4
Journal	Health Promotion Journal of Australia
Volume	36
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.70011
Publication status	Published - Apr 2025

Keywords

cancer screening
Health promotion
lung cancer
stigma
tobacco

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1002/hpja.70011Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Final published versionFinal published version, 223 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "Australia's National Lung Cancer Screening Program—It's Time to Address the Stigma in the Room",

abstract = "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 {\textquoteleft}choice{\textquoteright} 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.",

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AU - Rose, Shiho

AU - McFadden, Kathleen

AU - Harrison, Nathan J.

AU - Dodd, Rachael H.

AU - Onwuka, Shakira

AU - Paul, Christine

AU - Carter-Bawa, Lisa

AU - Brooke, Mark

AU - Weber, Marianne

PY - 2025/4

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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Australia's National Lung Cancer Screening Program—It's Time to Address the Stigma in the Room

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Keywords

UN SDGs

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