In this episode of TOGA's Conversations in Lung Cancer Research, host A/Prof Gavin Wright sits down with a multidisciplinary panel of experts to tackle the critical and complex issue of smoking-related stigma in lung cancer. The conversation explores how social constructs and industry blame-shifting fuel psychological distress, create barriers to the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, and potentially compromise equitable patient care. The panel offers clinical, psychological, and biological perspectives on how the healthcare system can dismantle this stigma to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Host A/Prof Gavin Wright is a thoracic surgeon, director of Surgical Oncology at St. Vincent's Hospital, and the surgical representative on TOGA's scientific committee—is an esteemed panel of specialists leading the charge against lung cancer stigma. He is joined by Dr. Allison Black, an oncology consultant at the Royal Hobart Hospital who sub-specialises in gynecological and lung cancers; A/Prof Henry Marshall, a thoracic physician at the Prince Charles Hospital and the University of Queensland Thoracic Research Center; and Professor Suzanne Chambers, a health psychologist, psycho-oncology researcher, and Executive Dean of Health Sciences at the Australian Catholic University. Together, they bring a vital combination of surgical, oncological, respiratory, and psychological expertise to this crucial discussion.
In this episode of TOGA's Conversations in Lung Cancer Research, host A/Prof Gavin Wright sits down with a multidisciplinary panel of experts to tackle the critical and complex issue of smoking-related stigma in lung cancer. The conversation explores how social constructs and industry blame-shifting fuel psychological distress, create barriers to the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, and potentially compromise equitable patient care. The panel offers clinical, psychological, and biological perspectives on how the healthcare system can dismantle this stigma to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Host A/Prof Gavin Wright is a thoracic surgeon, director of Surgical Oncology at St. Vincent's Hospital, and the surgical representative on TOGA's scientific committee—is an esteemed panel of specialists leading the charge against lung cancer stigma. He is joined by Dr. Allison Black, an oncology consultant at the Royal Hobart Hospital who sub-specialises in gynecological and lung cancers; A/Prof Henry Marshall, a thoracic physician at the Prince Charles Hospital and the University of Queensland Thoracic Research Center; and Professor Suzanne Chambers, a health psychologist, psycho-oncology researcher, and Executive Dean of Health Sciences at the Australian Catholic University. Together, they bring a vital combination of surgical, oncological, respiratory, and psychological expertise to this crucial discussion.
00:00 Welcome and Acknowledgement
00:55 Meet the Panel
01:54 What Stigma Means
04:43 Tobacco Industry Blame
06:11 Why Screening Matters
08:44 Treatment Without Judgment
12:15 Fixing Stigma Systemwide
17:13 Equity and Access Gaps
18:35 Shared Decisions and Support
21:24 Quitting Without Shame
24:33 Language and Closing Takeaways
26:49 Episode Wrap Up