2023-12-15 12:54:00
Lung cancer is diagnosed each year in 9,000 people in Belgium. 1 in 3 Belgians believe that patients are themselves responsible. However, this is far from being the case.
Marie-Ange is a music teacher. This summer, this 49-year-old mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, but in a rare form: genetic. “Worldwide, there are approximately 2,500 people worldwide who have this rare form of lung cancer. 50% are under 50 years old, 65% are women and few people have smoked“, she explains.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in Belgium and remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Smoking is responsible in 90% of cases. She explains that she often encounters accusatory looks. And yet, his cancer is not linked to cigarettes. “When we are in the street and people know what I have, there are non-verbal attitudes that are unmistakable. (…) There is a form of embarrassment on the face, there is an expression in the eyes“, testifies Marie-Ange.
Preconceptions that do seem to exist. According to a recent survey, nearly one in three Belgians consider that a person with lung cancer is responsible for their illness. Marie-Ange wants to break this taboo to fight against stigma and raise awareness. “Above all, I hope that people will not be afraid to go see their doctor. For me, that is essential. And I also hope that people will approach cancer patients with more humanity“, she concludes.
Living with her cancer is what Marie-Ange must do today, but above all she keeps hope
lung cancer
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