Ep 70: Lung Cancer Screening, Stigma and Science - The Patient From Hell Podcast

Breaking Down Lung Cancer: Screening, Stigma & Patient Advocacy with Dr. Bellinda King-Kallimanis

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bellinda King-Kallimanis, an expert in oncology research and patient advocacy, to discuss the complexities of lung cancer screening, risk factors, and common misconceptions. Bellinda shares insights from her diverse career—spanning academia, the FDA, and her current role at LUNGevity Foundation—and highlights the importance of early detection while addressing the stigma often associated with lung cancer.

We also explore the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and a study led by Dr. Robert J. Volk, which examines how different communication materials influence patients' understanding of screening options. Plus, don’t miss our rapid-fire Q&A, where Bellinda breaks down key lung cancer terms and concepts in an easy-to-understand way.

🎙 This episode is supported by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

About Our Guest

Dr. Bellinda King-Kallimanis is the Senior Director of Patient-Focused Research at LUNGevity Foundation, where she ensures that patient and caregiver perspectives are integrated into decision-making across various healthcare sectors. She also developed LUNGevity’s Citizen Scientist program, empowering patients and caregivers to contribute to research and advocacy.

Before joining LUNGevity, Bellinda worked at the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence on the Patient-Focused Drug Development team, where she helped launch Project Patient Voice—a resource for understanding patient-reported symptoms from clinical trials. She has also worked in industry and academia, publishing over 70 peer-reviewed papers.

Bellinda holds a Bachelor of Social Science and a Master of Science in Applied Statistics from Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne, Australia) and a PhD in Psychometrics from the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Key Moments

16 minutes:
“Unlike other cancers where you become eligible for screening based on age alone, lung cancer screening has additional criteria. You must be between 50-80 years old, have a 20-pack-year smoking history, and be either a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years. Unfortunately, only 5-6% of eligible people actually get screened, compared to around 70% for other cancers.”

18 minutes:
“80% of lung cancer patients have a tobacco history, but 20% don’t—and we don’t fully understand why. While we know that radon, asbestos, and environmental pollutants play a role, we still lack clear answers on how and when these exposures increase risk.”

39 minutes:
“As researchers, we get so used to complex medical language that we sometimes forget to communicate in a way that actually resonates. I’ve made it a priority to break down information in simple, accessible terms, because healthcare is already complicated, and cancer is scary. Patients and caregivers deserve clarity, not jargon.”