MEDIA RELEASE 			Media embargo – 8 October 2010

Smokers “blamed” for lung cancer (211 words)

Smokers who have lung cancer may be less likely to seek treatment because they feel unworthy of medical care.
This is the finding of a study published online this week in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
Simon Chapman and colleagues from the University of Sydney argue that television news portrays non-smokers with lung cancer with considerable sympathy compared to smokers, who are perceived to be responsible for their disease.
“Many people believe that today’s smokers are making a choice to smoke and have only themselves to blame,” said  Professor Chapman.
“Efforts by the public health community to emphasise that today’s patients acquired their nicotine addiction in an era of tobacco industry misinformation and government inaction may help lessen the stigma of smoking-related lung cancer.
“This would help make lung cancer sufferers feel less stressed and alienated.”
Professor Chapman said the stigma surrounding smoking-caused disease may delay or stop people from seeking treatment as they feel that they have brought this upon themselves.
“While 90% of lung cancer occurs in those with extensive smoking history, it is important to remember that the disease also occurs in those who have never smoked, as well as those who have stopped smoking, sometimes decades before the onset of symptoms,” he said.
ENDS

For more information about this research, contact the research author: Professor Simon Chapman, School of Public Health, University of Sydney. Phone: 0438 340 304; e-mail: sc@med.usyd.edu.au

MEDIA ONLY: To receive a PDF of the paper or for more information about ANZJPH, contact: Peta Neilson ANZJPH Administration & Production Ph: (03) 9329 3535 E-mail: anzjph@substitution.com.au

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health is published by the Public Health Association of Australia. Information on the Association and the Journal can be found at http://www.phaa.net.au