5th Lung Cancer Europe Report
Psychological and social impact of lung cancer
Published November 2020
Lung Cancer Europe’s fifth report explored the psychological and social impact of lung cancer on people living with the disease and those close to them.
The research looked at emotional wellbeing, daily life, family relationships, work, finances and access to supportive care. It combined a European survey with qualitative interviews and published research to identify where support was falling short and what needed to improve.
559 people
included in the main survey
17 countries
represented across Europe
12 languages
used for the survey
The survey ran from 20 May to 25 June 2020.What the report looked at
Emotional wellbeing
Experiences of uncertainty, sadness, anxiety, fear, depression and other emotional effects of lung cancer.
Daily life
How symptoms, treatment side effects and physical limitations affected independence, routines and everyday activities.
Family, work and finances
The wider impact of lung cancer on relationships, employment, household income and practical responsibilities.
Supportive care
Access to psychological, social, rehabilitation and other support for people with lung cancer and those close to them.
“It seems to me that I no longer have myself,
or that I am disappearing behind the disease.”
The report found that emotional wellbeing was one of the areas most affected by lung cancer.
Uncertainty, sadness, anxiety and fear were among the most commonly reported emotions, while many respondents also described difficulties with work, finances, family life and maintaining independence.
What Lung Cancer Europe called for
Integrated psychosocial support
Make psychological and social support part of lung cancer care throughout the care pathway, with better access to appropriate services and stronger communication between healthcare professionals and people affected by lung cancer.
Better access to community support
Increase awareness of patient organisations, support centres and non-profit organisations, and improve signposting so people affected by lung cancer can find peer support, information and practical help more easily.
Looking beyond treatment
Psychological and social impact of lung cancer documented how deeply lung cancer could affect emotional wellbeing, family life, work, finances and everyday independence.
Published in 2020, the report reinforced the need to consider quality of life and supportive care alongside diagnosis and treatment, and to recognise the needs of family members and caregivers as well as people living with lung cancer.
Psychological and social impact of lung cancer
Lung Cancer Europe 5th Annual Report