Public perceptions of lung cancer can have a profound impact on the experiences and outcomes of people living with the disease.
The GLCC Patient Charter asserts that all people living with lung cancer have the right to dignity, respect, quality care, informed decision making, privacy and freedom from blame and stigma.
Public perceptions can significantly affect these rights. Low awareness of symptoms and stigma associated with lung cancer can delay help-seeking and diagnosis, making it important to understand public attitudes towards the disease.
In 2026, the GLCC commissioned its fifth international study to explore public attitudes towards lung cancer, awareness of symptoms and views on lung cancer screening. The research builds on studies conducted in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2023.
The survey was undertaken in 32 countries and territories across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Together, these findings underline the continuing need to improve awareness, tackle stigma, improve early diagnosis and ensure that people living with lung cancer receive the understanding, support and care they deserve.
Key findings
Symptom recognition
- Awareness of lung cancer symptoms has improved since 2023 but remains low. Nearly one-third of people (32.7%) could not name any symptoms of lung cancer, compared with 37.5% in 2023.
- Men were more likely than women to report not knowing any symptoms (35.9% vs. 30.1%) (2023: 40.5% vs. 34.9%).
- Lack of symptom awareness was highest among 18-24 year-olds (36.8%) (2023: 45.1%).
- People who had never smoked were more likely than current or former smokers to report not knowing any symptoms (34.4% vs. 31.4%) (2023: 40.2% vs. 36.7%).
Attitudes towards lung cancer
- Lung cancer stigma remains widespread, despite signs of improvement. Nearly four in ten people (39.2%) agreed that they had less sympathy for people with lung cancer than for people with other cancers, down from 42.6% in 2023.
- Men were more likely than women to hold this view (45% vs. 34.3%) (2023: 50.4% vs. 35.7%).
- Sympathy increased with age, with 45.5% of 18 to 24-year-olds agreeing, compared with 29.3% of those aged 55+, down from 50% among 18 to 24-year-olds in 2023.
- Current and former smokers were slightly less sympathetic than people who had never smoked (39.5% vs. 38.6%) (2023: 43.2% vs. 42.3%).
Views on lung cancer screening
- Public support for lung cancer screening remains consistently high. More than eight in ten people (84.3%) supported a national lung cancer screening programme, broadly unchanged from 84.9% in 2023.
- Women were more supportive than men (86.1% vs. 82.2%) (2023: 85.6% vs. 84.1%).
- Support was consistently high across all age groups, ranging from 82.8% among 18–24-year-olds to 85.5% among 35–44-year-olds.
- Current and former smokers were more supportive than people who had never smoked (86.1% vs. 81.6%) (2023: 86.8% vs. 82.5%).
Methodology
The GLCC commissioned market research agency Censuswide to undertake an online survey of adults across 32 countries and territories between 17 March and 24 March 2026. Survey samples included at least 1,000 adults per country, with data weighted by age, gender and region to produce a representative sample in each market.
Respondents were asked the following questions:
- There are many warning signs and symptoms of lung cancer. Please list as many symptoms of lung cancer as you can think of (with a “Don’t know” option provided).
- Lung cancer is mainly caused by smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement: “I have less sympathy for people with lung cancer than for other types of cancer?”
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement: “There should be a national lung cancer screening programme to help people with lung cancer get diagnosed early?”
The GLCC is calling on governments and health systems across the world to:
- Increase recognition of lung cancer symptoms through targeted public awareness campaigns.
- Challenge stigma and misconceptions through evidence-based awareness initiatives.
- Implement national lung cancer screening programmes to support earlier detection and treatment.
- Ensure equitable access to screening, diagnosis and care for all people affected by lung cancer.
Read / download the global report here:
Insights from the country- and territory-level responses are published below.
