What is something you always believed to be true about cancer and later learned otherwise.

[Denzie]

Theres a great deal of misinformation surrounding cancer, lung cancer in particular. What have you learned different that you would like people to understand?

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

One of my early, very big surprises was that doctors sometimes get it wrong. Both of my parents died from complications of their lung cancer. Each was told they might survive 6 months, neither did. So when I was told I might survive 10-15 months I started expecting some terrible at about 9 months. Thirteen years later I know better.

[kri312 in reply to Denzie]

You are an inspiration of hope for many....thank you for always providing insight to keep us moving forward!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to kri312]

Thank you.

[JanetteR57]

That anyone can develop lung cancer - decades of messaging that smoking causes lung cancer is so misleading and causes harm. Why? smokers believe it's the only cancer they might develop rather than 1 of 15 cancers and many other conditions like cardiovascular disease, dementia and others.

It also leaves the fate of never smokers(and their relatives) to be hit like a truck when given a diagnosis from something never on their radar!

This is further perpetuated by clinicians, and the public asking repeatedly asking lung cancer whether they smoked as if there's a blame game which is never asked of other those with conditions or cancers.

It has also prevented research from really taking off into lung cancer until the last 15 years or so due to underinvestment globally as a result of stigma/belief of a self inflicted lifestyle condition which is so far from the truth.... and the situation around obesity and alcohol overuse that also cause and contribute to so many illnesses and behavioural issues.

I'd also like the myth busted that if you have lung conditions you shouldn't/can't exercise or be physically active. The lungs can be developed as can stamina with modified breathing..... I've swum much further than I ever did previously despite losing half my left lung 13 years ago and I was already a regular distance swimmer. Yes, moving when we're not used to it will make us breathless as it would anybody but building up little by little on a regular basis can make a world of difference to mental and physical health. It doesn't have to involve running a marathon or a triathlon but walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, pilates and so many other activities can be achieved and even improve everyday breathing even with a lung condition

Thanks for posing such an interesting question, Denzie. ...

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed answer.