The important reason why you see FFS everywhere

This week, the Lung Foundation Australia launched FFS, which means 'Free From Stigma', after seeing the day-to-day impact of the systemic stigma surrounding lung cancer.

Lung cancer has recently been diagnosed in more than 12,700 Australians and about half of those living with lung cancer suffer from distress, anxiety or depression related to the stigma surrounding the disease.

Claiming that they can do more for people with lung cancer when the stigma is ended, health professionals behind the campaign revealed that the stigma of lung cancer negatively affected the lung cancer. funding for research, early diagnosis, patient's mental health and prognosis.

"Australians suffering from lung cancer have for too long felt the shame directly attributable to stigma. Because of stigma, they are often reluctant to seek help, seek treatment, or even talk to their loved ones, and they are four times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. " said Mark Brooke, managing director of Lung Foundation Australia.

Lung Foundation Australia calls on the government to fund 25 new nurse clinicians specializing in lung cancer treatment and to improve patient access to multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best possible treatment, care and support.

"Lung cancer is a devastating disease. It is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in our country, "said Mary Duffy, Advanced Practice Nurse and Lung Cancer Consultant at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center.

"Frankly, we are tired, our hearts are broken, at the rate at which we lose our patients. People with lung cancer deserve our utmost compbadion, consideration and empathy, not our judgment or our prejudices. "

Mary Duffy is one of eight lung cancer specialists participating in the FFS campaign.

"Participating in a campaign like this is unusual for my colleagues and me. It is not a natural environment for us to participate; we are much more comfortable in our clinics where we want to make a difference.

"Yet we are here because we have to be in. We are pbadionate about this campaign, as every one of us has had to watch as the prognosis of our patients deteriorates as the influence of stigma becomes known. " Ms. Duffy added.

To learn more about FFS! campaign, and what you can do to support people with lung cancer, please visit: FreeFromStigma.org.au.