Stigma is a powerful social process characterized by labeling and stereotyping of certain human characteristics as socially undesirable and linked with negative stereotypes, leading to loss of status and discrimination toward labeled individuals.1 Health-related stigma manifests when an individual with a specific health condition – such as cancer – is treated differently by health care systems, families, and communities; denied opportunities for care and social support; and distressed by feelings of guilt, social isolation, and avoidance. Related to cancer, the second leading cause of mortality worldwide,2 stigma occurs across the care continuum, impeding preventive health-seeking behaviors, screening and treatment adherence, and care engagement.3,4 Worldwide, cancer stigma has a significant impact on cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality.5 Therefore, understanding, measuring, and reducing cancer stigma is critical to reduce the global cancer burden and promote health equity.
NCI Center for Global Health Blog Post
The Crucial Role of Research in Addressing Global Cancer Stigma
JNCI Monographs special issue about global cancer stigma
Reducing cancer stigma can reduce cancer-related health disparities and promote health equity. The National Cancer Institute partnered with JNCI Monographs to publish a special issue to highlight the need to study cancer stigma as an important global public health concern. The special issue highlights work from around the world and presents a diverse representation from researchers, non-governmental organizations, survivors, and community partners.
Global Cancer Stigma Research Workshop
In September 2022, the National Cancer Institute hosted a Global Cancer Stigma Research Workshop. This virtual, 2-day meeting brought together members of the global cancer extramural research and advocacy communities and featured more than 25 speakers including cancer survivors, advocates, clinicians, researchers, and non-profit and governmental organizations. Over 100 participants, representing five continents, contributed to the workshop’s goals of 1) underscoring the impact of stigma on global cancer control; 2) fostering the exchange of ideas with the cancer stigma research community; and 3) highlighting domestic and global cancer stigma research to identify potential research gaps for stigma measurement and the development of context-specific stigma reduction interventions.
Notices of Funding Opportunities
| Project Title | Project Number | Expiration Date | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Confluence of Cancer Stigma and HIV Stigma in HIV-positive Individuals Diagnosed with Cancer
More Information |
RFA-CA-25-011 (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) RFA-CA-25-012 (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) |
December 11, 2024 | Robin Vanderpool 240-276-6558 robin.vanderpool@nih.gov Rebecca Ferrer 301-852-1167 rebecca.ferrer@nih.gov |
References
- Link BG, Phelan JC. Conceptualizing stigma. Annu Rev Sociol. 2001;27(1):363-385.
- American Cancer Society. The Global Cancer Burden: Why Global Cancer Rates are Rising.
- Heley K, Vanderpool RC, Vedham V. Global cancer stigma research: a U.S. National Cancer Institute workshop report. J Natl Cancer Inst Monographs. 2024;2024(63):4-10.
- Hamann HA, Ver Hoeve ES, Carter-Harris L, Studts JL, Ostroff JS. Multilevel opportunities to address lung cancer stigma across the cancer control continuum. J Thorac Oncol. 2018;13(8):1062-1075.
- Fujisawa D, Hagiwara N. Cancer stigma and its health consequences. Curr Breast Cancer Rep. 2015;7(3):143-150
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