Lung Cancer Europe has launched the largest global survey to date on the psychological and emotional impact of lung cancer, drawing on responses from 2,204 people across 31 countries.
The report reveals the distress, fear and isolation that often go unseen in routine care – and how many people affected by lung cancer are left without the mental health support they need.
- Sixty-four per cent said their mental health has been affected by lung cancer
- One in three 1 received no psychological support
- Around 60 per cent said they regularly feel fear, anxiety or low mood – yet are often not asked about it by their healthcare team
- Women and younger people were most likely to report significant emotional distress
- Caregivers also reported feeling overwhelmed and unsupported
“This is the first time we’ve been able to hear from so many people, across so many countries, about the emotional weight of lung cancer,” said Debra Montague, President of Lung Cancer Europe. “The silence around this has gone on too long. You can’t treat lung cancer properly without acknowledging the psychological toll – and acting on it.”
Psychologist and researcher Valeria Sebri, who specialises in psycho-oncology, spoke at the launch event in Berlin during ESMO 2025 at the weekend.
“The emotional needs of people with lung cancer are often invisible within cancer care,” said Dr Sebri. “Behind every scan and treatment plan, there’s fear, sadness, and uncertainty – and not enough space to talk about it. This report gives us data, but more than that, it gives us a wake-up call.”
The 2025 edition marks the 10th annual Lung Cancer Europe report – a body of work that over the past decade has documented the lived experience of lung cancer in Europe: from stigma and access to treatment, to survival and quality of life.
This year’s report makes the case for integrating mental health into cancer care at every stage, with policy recommendations for building accessible, tailored support – not just for people with lung cancer, but for the people who care for them too.
Read the full report here
