Every year, around 14,000 Dutch people are diagnosed with lung cancer, the deadliest form of cancer. Many patients face judgmental reactions after diagnosis, as if it is their own fault. Research shows that approximately 70 percent of lung cancer patients notice that people look at them differently than at other cancer patients. Lung Cancer Netherlands believes that this must change and calls for more understanding and support.
The campaign ‘Lung cancer? will therefore start on Friday. Yes, that was expected’, with the aim of starting the conversation about lung cancer, combating prejudices and creating awareness. Figures show that 20 percent of patients do not even dare to go to the doctor with complaints, for fear of judgmental reactions or the risk of being refused treatment.
Ex-roker
59-year-old Johan Portanger from Almere is committed to the campaign. He smoked for 35 years, but has now quit for ten years. Yet he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. “It started with a kidney stone. What followed were diagnoses for bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Lung cancer was also discovered by chance,” he says. Heart of the Netherlands.
“Immediately the response came: ‘Yes, but you smoked. Of course you will get lung cancer.’ We want to get rid of that stigma,” says Johan. “It feels like some kind of accusation. I stopped in time, but after years you get a dessert. It’s just bad luck, but you are immediately convicted.”
Johan has now undergone surgery for bladder cancer and prostate cancer and has had five radiation treatments for his lungs. He currently undergoes regular check-ups.
Stigma
Johan believes it is important that there is better communication. “Just ask how I am doing. Many people don’t dare to do that,” he says. He also advocates population screening to detect lung cancer earlier. “Thanks to good care and regular check-ups, I can live well with my cancer. People really need to realize that there is more possible than just that stigma.”
Lung Cancer: Let’s Talk Without Judgment
Every year, around 14,000 Dutch people are diagnosed with lung cancer – the deadliest form of cancer. It’s like winning a lottery where the prize is a ticket to a miserable health journey. But what’s truly sinister isn’t just the cancer itself; it’s the judgment that comes along for the ride, as if lung cancer patients are being sidelined as the naughty kids who just refused to eat their broccoli!
Research reveals that approximately 70% of lung cancer patients feel the distinct sensation of being looked at differently than those with other cancers. Wait, what? So, if you have lung cancer, you’re also expected to wear an ‘I’m a smoker’ badge while they label you ‘guilty’? Let’s be honest, this isn’t a courtroom drama; it’s life! Lung Cancer Netherlands is having none of it – they’re standing up and saying it’s time for a change. And just in case you missed it, they’re calling for more understanding and support – because, let’s face it, judgment isn’t exactly curing cancer, is it?
The Campaign Begins
Enter the campaign, ‘Lung cancer? Yes, that was expected.’ Ah, yes, that classic expectation game! This initiative aims to spark conversations, tear down prejudices, and raise awareness. You know, like convincing your in-laws that no, you won’t be wearing that hideous sweater they knitted you last Christmas. Statistics reveal that 20% of lung cancer patients avoid seeing a doctor due to the fear of judgment. Let me tell you, avoiding the doctor is where you go if you think the waiting room has a hotter fashion sense than you – not because you might have a serious health issue!
Meet Johan Portanger
Now, let’s turn our spotlight on Johan Portanger, a 59-year-old ex-smoker from Almere. This chap smoked for 35 years before kicking the habit 10 years ago. He had what you might call a ‘health menu’ that included kidney stones, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer, but lung cancer snuck into the mix like the unwanted relative at a family gathering – unexpected and uninvited!
Upon his lung cancer diagnosis, he heard the all-too-common response: “Well, you smoked, didn’t you?” It’s almost as if cancer diagnosis comes with a side of accusation – strange, isn’t it? Johan eloquently puts it: “It feels like some kind of accusation. I stopped in time, but after years, you get a dessert.” And it’s the wrong kind of dessert too, isn’t it? Whenever life throws us a curveball, we should be met with empathy, not judgment!
Breaking Down the Stigma
Johan believes in the power of communication. “Just ask how I am doing,” he says. It’s that simple, folks! Hasn’t anyone taught us that a friendly chat can be more comforting than a well-meaning but awkward silence? Speaking of comfort, Johan advocates for population screening, which can help detect lung cancer earlier – because nobody wants the cancer version of ‘surprise, surprise!’
“Thanks to good care and regular check-ups, I can live well with my cancer,” Johan explains. It sounds questionable when you put it like that, but his point hits home: there’s more to life than being labeled and stigmatized!
Cancer stigma examples
D unwelcome. Johan was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, and he’s ready to share his story to help eliminate the stigmas surrounding this illness.
**Interviewer:** Johan, thank you for joining us today. You’ve had quite a health journey. Can you tell us about your experience with lung cancer and the reactions you’ve faced after your diagnosis?
**Johan Portanger:** Thank you for having me. It’s been a tough journey, and one of the most frustrating aspects has definitely been the stigma that comes with lung cancer. As soon as I was diagnosed, people immediately jumped to conclusions, saying things like, “Well, you smoked before—of course, this would happen.” It feels like they think I’m guilty of something, rather than understanding the complexities of cancer. It’s bad luck, really.
**Interviewer:** That must be incredibly challenging. How do you think we can change public perceptions around lung cancer?
**Johan Portanger:** Communication is key. People need to feel comfortable asking how I’m doing without the weight of judgment. If someone has cancer, any cancer, they need support and understanding—it doesn’t matter what caused it. Awareness campaigns like “Lung cancer? Yes, that was expected” are vital in starting these conversations and breaking down prejudices.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned earlier that a significant portion of lung cancer patients avoid going to the doctor due to fear of judgment. What can be done about that?
**Johan Portanger:** That statistic really worries me—20% is a big number. We need to foster an environment where patients feel safe to seek help. Offering population screening could also help detect lung cancer earlier, which is critical for improving outcomes. Through regular check-ups and better care, I’ve been able to manage my health, but we need to advocate for more proactive measures.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a holistic approach is necessary. What kind of support do you wish you had more of during your journey?
**Johan Portanger:** I wish people understood that there’s life beyond the label of a lung cancer patient. It’s about being treated like a person, not just a statistic. Friends and family reaching out to check in, without the shadow of blame, would make a world of difference. Having others stand with us in this fight reduces the loneliness that often comes with the diagnosis.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Johan. Your perspective is invaluable, and we hope your story helps foster understanding and compassion towards lung cancer patients.
**Johan Portanger:** Thank you for having me. Let’s work together to change the narrative—cancer is tough enough without the stigma attached!
