Breaking prejudice in lung cancer

In the evolving landscape of lung cancer care, we're making strides. We're innovating. We're making headway in diagnosis, treatment, and support. But there's still a long road ahead and we're hitting some tough truths. There’re still huge gaps in meeting the many needs of our patients.

Quote of Boehringer Ingelheim's patient engagement lead Tanya Hills talking about the importance of patient centricity and the fact that it's more than just a buzzword.

Patient centricity is key

Tanya Hills is leading patient engagement efforts in cancer care at Boehringer Ingelheim. "Patient centricity is more than just a buzzword," Tanya says. “It's really about understanding the diverse needs of all those living with lung cancer and using that knowledge to make their care better. And in lung cancer care, where no two journeys are the same, this is crucial.”

Mental well-being: The power of little things

For those living with lung cancer, it's often the little things that make a big difference. To understand these, we need to talk directly with patients and those that support them. These “little things” might not seem crucial to a healthy person, nor might they better treat the disease, but they can hugely impact the mental well-being of people living with lung cancer. And mental health, as we know, plays a part in living with the disease.

The oncology patient engagement team works hand-in-hand with patient organizations (POs) to understand the hurdles lung cancer patients face and to come up with solutions that matter. "Our goal is to ensure that patient and family voice is heard, and that their needs are integrated throughout the development and life cycle of our lung cancer research," Tanya says.

She and her team believe in the power of collaboration and regularly brings together POs from all over the world to learn from each other and build solutions with a global impact. Lung cancer patients face a mountain of challenges. From the physical and emotional strain of the disease to the stigma that often comes with it.

Challenging prejudice: beyond smokers disease

A survey from the Global Lung Cancer Coalition showed that over four out of ten people (42.62%) agreed with the statement ‘I have less sympathy for people with lung cancer than other types of cancer¹. This attitude and the existing prejudice tied to smoking, can lead to patients feeling judged and blaming themselves. "People still think lung cancer is a smokers disease and the illness was brought on by the people themselves," Tanya points out. “This can lead to internalized self-blame or shame. As a result, it’s not uncommon for people to be less open to seeking treatments and having conversations with their HCPs.”

While smoking is a strong risk factor for lung cancer, it’s not the only one. In fact, 10% to 20% of people who develop lung cancer have never smoked². "We're not just fighting a disease," Tanya insists. "We're also fighting prejudice. We're committed to bringing awareness to the forefront of conversations and promoting a greater understanding of lung cancer. So, let's challenge these misconceptions. Let's ensure the voices of every individual affected by lung cancer are heard.”

Transforming lung cancer care

Despite the progress that’s already happening in lung cancer care, Tanya knows that significant gaps remain. She and the oncology patient engagement team dedicate themselves to address the disparities in access to healthcare across the geographical regions and within their corresponding health systems. "Access to healthcare is still a hurdle in many areas," Tanya says. "And we need to remain vigilant in understanding and representing diverse populations in lung cancer research. Emphasizing diversity and inclusion are critical in addressing patient needs."

Through her work, Tanya together with the collective effort of many committed team members are making a difference in the lives of lung cancer patients. They have been involved in numerous projects and initiatives with POs, and their efforts have led to the development of patient-centric drug development approaches, the establishment of patient advisory boards, and the integration of patient-reported outcomes into clinical trials: "In the fight against lung cancer, every voice matters, and every effort counts. When we bring patients, families and patient organizations into the conversation early, listen and have them as an intricate part of the entire drug life-cycle process, we can be transformative in the work we do," she says. "That's the power of patient powered progress. That’s patient centricity."

Looking to the future, Tanya sees a landscape of hope and innovation. "I envision advancements in personalized treatment approaches, improved access to innovative therapies, and enhanced supportive care services," she says. "Technological advances, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, will play significant roles in shaping future patient care. And all together, we can make a difference."

Resources

¹Global Lung Cancer Coalition Study, available at: Symptom awareness, attitudes to lung cancer and views on screening 2023 | Global Lung Cancer Coalition, last accessed April 2024.

²National Cancer Institute. NIH study illuminates origins of lung cancer in never smokers, available at: https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/lung-cancer-never-smokers, last accessed May 2024.