The association between lung cancer stigma and race: A descriptive correlational study

Abstract

Background: Stigma is a formidable burden for survivors of lung cancer that can reduce the quality of life (QOL), resulting in physical, social and psychological challenges. This study investigates associations between stigma and depression, QOL and demographic and health-related characteristics, including race.Design: An adapted conceptual model derived from the Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale guided this descriptive correlation study assessing stigma in African American and Caucasian survivors of lung cancer. Self-reported, written surveys measuring depression, QOL, lung cancer stigma and demographics were administered. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess associations between stigma and depression, stigma and QOL and stigma and race, while adjusting for demographic characteristics.Results: Participants (N = 56) included 30 Caucasian and 26 African American survivors of lung cancer recruited from a cancer registry of an American College of Surgeonsaccredited programme, a survivors' support club and an ambulatory oncology practice in the southeastern United States. Statistical analysis yielded (1) a significant moderate positive association between depression and lung cancer stigma; (2) a significant moderate negative association between QOL and lung cancer stigma; and (3) significant relationships between race and lung cancer stigma, specifically higher degree of stigma among African Americans compared to Caucasians. Conclusion:Stigma affects many aspects of survivors' lives. Healthcare professionals need to consider how health-related stigma may further complicate the physical burdens, psychological distresses and social challenges that accompany the disease, especially among African American survivors. Additional enquiry and interventions are needed to assist with mitigating the negative effects of stigma on survivors and their family members and friends.

Social stigma associated with cancer in the Newfoundland and Labrador population: an exploratory study

“…In addition, while the number of Indigenous participants was small, nevertheless, there was a strong association of Indigenous ethnicity compared with White ethnicity with social isolation, but not with self-stigma. Whether cultural differences or intersection of ethnicity and cancer—as detected in other populations 50 —plays a role in this pattern could be examined in future studies. Finally, it is interesting that the other factors examined, including marital status, sex, single versus multiple cancers, and time since diagnosis, were not associated with either of these constructs in the multivariable models.…”

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Survivors of Lung Cancer and Their Partners: A Systematic Review

“…For survivors of lung cancer, the extent of the resection and other treatment modalities, unresolved treatment effects, comorbid conditions, smoking status, physical activity level, and emotional problems can further exacerbate symptoms [ 3 ]. The effect that stigma has on lung cancer survivorship may further complicate physical burdens, psychological distresses, and social challenges [ 4 ]. The strong association between a survivor’s emotional problems and debilitating symptom burden may impact treatment adherence, hospital readmission rates, and QOL [ 5 ].…”