Bonnie Addario, a lung cancer survivor and founder of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (BJALCF), discusses support groups for patients with lung cancer.

Addario says that there are not very many lung cancer support groups. Many patients with lung cancer have difficulty traveling to support groups as they have had surgery or their disease has compromised the lung. Addario's group invites guests such as David R. Gandara, MD, who spoke at the 

14th Annual International Lung Cancer Congress

, to speak at events. These events are also streamed over the Internet, so that more patients can experience the benefit of a support group.

As Tony S.K. Mok, BMSc, MD, FRCPC, said at the International Lung Cancer Congress, Addario says, innovation is crucial. The days are over when a patient simply did what they were told regarding treatment; patients are now their own advocates and are making sure they're getting the best treatment. In any phase of treatment, the goal should always be to treat a patient in the best way possible.

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Bonnie Addario on Lung Cancer Support Groups

Bonnie Addario, a lung cancer survivor and founder of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (BJALCF), discusses the prevalent stigma that lung cancer is a self-inflicted disease caused solely by smoking. 

Addario believes the stigma exists not only within the general public but also among medical professionals. As a result, lung cancer research receives less funding and fewer physicians pursue it as a specialty. 

In an example, Addario explains that people with lung cancer do not look or act any differently than anyone else. She further emphasizes that stigmas are wrong and that every patient should receive the same care, whether they smoked or not.

Lung cancer survivor, Bonnie Addario, the founder of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, discusses the prevalent stigma that lung cancer is a self-inflicted disease caused solely by smoking. 

Bonnie Addario

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Bonnie Addario on Lung Cancer Support Groups

Bonnie Addario Discusses the Stigma of Lung Cancer