What Is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that is most common in Australia. It is a growth of abnormal cells in the lungs that develops what is known as primary lung tumour in the lungs. If left untreated or undiagnosed, the tumour can spread to other parts of the body.

Statistics For Australian Men With Lung Cancer

Around 10,000 Australians are diagnosed with Lung Cancer each year for both men and women. In 2009, there were 6,034 new male cases of lung cancer. Although the rate of lung cancer in men have slowly declined, it is still the most common cancer for Australian men.

The highest mortality rates are among indigenous Australians, people living in remote areas and those in the lowest socio-economic status areas.

-Lung Cancer Foundation

Burden Of Lung Cancer

For many families, the financial hardship experienced due to lung cancer can be difficult. When we talk about burden of disease, it is often a term that refers to the out of pocket expenses, loss and emotional turmoil experienced by the individual with the disease and their network such as family and close friends.

In 2012, lung cancer was expected to be the leading cause of burden of disease due to cancer among men (57,300 DALYs, accounting for 19 per cent of the total cancer burden).

-CancerAustralia.gov.au

Individuals who have had or currently receiving treatment for lung cancer experience emotional, financial and social burden that have impacted their lives due to having lung cancer. There are many forms of burden that can be of a consequence of having lung cancer.

This includes side effects during and after treatment during and after radiotherapy or chemotherapy and the psychosocial effects after diagnosis and treatment, loss of salary, financial hardship impacting family life, stress and premature death.