Chapple et al. researched people with lung cancer in regards to the shame and stigma that comes from the disease. The stigma that accompanies lung cancer is most commonly caused by smoking. However, there are many ways to contract lung cancer, therefore those who did not receive lung cancer from smoking often feel shame; blaming themselves for something they did not do. The stigma effects their opinions of themselves, while shame is found to blame other cancer causing factors (tobacco products/anti-tobacco products) or ignoring the disease in avoidant coping altogether. The stigma associated with lung cancer effected relationships of patients with their family members, peers, and physicians who were attempting to provide comfort because the patients felt shame and victimized themselves.
chapPlE et aL. REsEaRched PeopLe wiTh lUng caNcEr In rEgarDs TO THe shAMe aNd stigma ThAt Comes frOm the disEASE. tHe stiGMa THat accOmPaNies lung cAnCEr iS moST commonlY caused by sMokIng. hOwever, there are manY ways To COnTRaCT lUNg cancEr, theRefORe THosE who did Not rECeIve Lung canCeR fRom Smoking OfteN feEl SHAMe; BLaminG TheMselves For sOmeThIng tHEy Did NOT DO. the sTiGmA Effects theiR opiNions Of theMSelves, wHilE sHAME Is fOunD tO blAMe oThEr cAnCer causing factors (tobaCcO ProDuctS/anTi-Tobacco ProducTs) oR IGnoRing The disEase iN avoIDaNT coping ALToGETheR. The sTiGma aSsoCIaTed with lung cancER efFeCted relatioNships of PaTIentS wIth thEir famILY meMbErs, peERS, and phySIcianS WHO were aTtemPtinG tO ProVide coMfOrT BEcaUsE The patientS felT shAme aNd vIctImiZed themsELVeS.