What is lung disease?

Lung disease in Australia

• Lung disease overview
  • There are over 30 types of lung disease
  • Almost 1 in 3 Australians has a lung disease.¹
  • 1 in 7 deaths is a result of lung disease.²
  • Lung disease accounts for 10% of the total health burden in Australia.²
  • Lung disease, including chronic respiratory conditions and thoracic cancers, is our nation’s second leading cause of death. ¹³
  • Anyone can get lung disease. It affects men, women, children, smokers, ex-smokers and never smokers, all who are equally worthy of care and support.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • 1 in 13 Australians over the age of 40 have COPD and many don’t know it.⁴
  • COPD is the most common cause of potentially preventable hospitalizations.

  Know more in our Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease section.

• Lung cancer
  • In 2018, it is estimated over 12,740 Australians will be diagnosed with lung cancer in Australia. That’s 34 people a day.6
  • One Australian dies every hour from lung cancer.6
  • Lung cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer in Australia with only 17% of Australians surviving 5 years after their diagnosis. 6
  • Lung cancer is Australia’s biggest cancer killer: It kills more people than breast, prostate and ovarian cancers combined.14
  • 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men diagnosed with lung cancer have no history of smoking.7

  Explore further at our Lung Cancer page.

• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
  • IPF is a rare and progressive lung disease causing irreversible scarring of the lungs.
  • While it is not currently known exactly how many people are affected by IPF in Australia, experts estimate approximately 1,250 people are diagnosed with this devastating disease each year.

  Learn more in our Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis section.

• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
  • PAH diagnosis is delayed on average 3.9 years.9
  • On average it takes 5 GP visits before a specialist referral is given.

  Know more in our Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension section.

• Bronchiectasis
  • Bronchiectasis is a common lung disease caused by chronic infection damaging the lungs.
  • Females and the elderly are more frequently affected.10

  Explore further at our Bronchiectasis page.

• Rare lung disease in children
  • In Australia there is currently very limited, if any, information, support, treatment and research available for children diagnosed with a rare lung disease.
• Challenges in Australia - Stigma
  • The stigma surrounding lung disease is a major barrier to accessing research, funding, treatment and support.
  • 1 in 6 Australians believe people with lung disease who have smoked deserve less support.11
  • Over one third (35%) of Australians consider those with lung cancer to be their ‘own worst enemy’ and one in ten will say they ‘got what they deserved’.11
  • We’re quick to judge others but not ourselves – 58% of Australians admit to being a smoker, or having smoked previously, but just 3% would consider it ‘deserved’ if they were diagnosed with lung cancer. 11
  • For 40% of the population, the first question they would ask those diagnosed with lung cancer is whether or not they smoked, even though lung cancer can affect anyone. 11
  • In a global survey conducted in 15 countries, Australians had the least sympathy for someone diagnosed with lung cancer, compared with other cancers, based on its association with tobacco smoking.7

  Those living with lung cancer and other lung conditions feel the knock-on effects of their diagnosis and the stigma ¹².

  • One third feel isolated and see their family and friends less often
  • 60% do the things they love, such as hobbies, less often
  • 25% feel shame, guilt or fear of being discriminated against
  • Over 40% feel stigma from the view that lung diseases are self-inflicted and smoking-related
  • Almost 1 in 4 people feel less deserving of help than people with other medical conditions.