The lung cancer community is made up of a very diverse group of people. We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, creeds, and political affiliations. Where else can one sit at the same table with a hunter and a vegan? An atheist and a born-again Christian? A former punk rocker and a politican? The individuals who make up this vibrant community are brought together for one reason: to make things better for people with lung cancer. We are a family of sorts.

As with all families, however, we have subjects that are not comfortably discussed. The lung cancer community is no different. Our family is made up of patients who are never-smokers, former smokers and current smokers. In the minds of the general public, mainstream media and too many healthcare providers, people with lung cancer are the poster children for smoking stigma. How do we address this reality openly and honestly as a community in a way that honors all patients? How do we bridge the divide with respect to smoking history?

These topic questions will guide the conversation:

T1: How do you perceive the divide in the #LungCancer Community between those with smoking histories and never-smokers? #LCSM

T2: Which advocacy messages make the divide worse? #LCSM

T3: How can we heal this divide in the #LungCancer community for the greater good of the advocacy movement? #LCSM

T4: How can we change the general public’s perception of #LungCancer patients without emphasizing never-smokers? #LCSM

We hope you’ll join moderator Deana Hendrickson on Thursday at 5 pm PT, 7 pm CT, 8 pm ET. If you’re new to tweetchats, please read this primer on how to participate in #LCSM Chats.

Please read prior to the chat:

Dear Lung Cancer Patient Who Smoked

Can We Erase Lung Cancer Stigma Without Mentioning Smoking?

Guest Blog: Dear Lung Cancer Patient Who Didn’t Smoke

Profiles in Lung Cancer: Kelli “Cat” Joseph, Survivor 

The Lung Cancer Blame Game – How People Blame the Patients and Patients Blame Themselves 

Are Lung Cancer Patients to Blame for Their Disease?

Let’s Kill the Stigma and Save Lives

David Carr’s death and the stigma of lung cancer