In Bulgaria, 45.2% of people surveyed cannot name a single symptom of lung cancer, according to a 2026 international survey by the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC). The Association of Patients with Oncological Diseases (APOZ) released the results.
That is the second-highest share among the 32 countries and territories in the survey.
People who know the symptoms most often name a persistent cough, shortness of breath and coughing up blood. Fewer recognise repeated chest infections, constant tiredness and loss of appetite.
Even so, 88.7% of Bulgarians back a national screening programme, meaning organised tests to find the disease early. Support is high in every age group. It is highest among people aged 55 and over, at 93.7%. It is 89.1% among those aged 45-54, 87.7% among 25-34-year-olds and 87.6% among 35-44-year-olds. Among the youngest, aged 18 to 24, it is 84.8%.
Screening is backed by 89.4% of current and former smokers and 85% of people who have never smoked.
"These figures show wide public support for organised early detection. They do not measure whether an individual intends to take part in screening," APOZ said.
About 41% of respondents admit they feel less sympathy for people with lung cancer than for people with other cancers. The share is 46.6% among men and 35.8% among women.
People aged 25 to 34 are the most likely to feel this way, at 47.4%. They are followed by those aged 35-44 at 44.7% and those aged 18-24 at 43.5%. Among people aged 55 and over the share is 35.8%, and among those aged 45-54 it is 33.1%.
"These results show that being young does not necessarily mean a more accepting attitude towards people with lung cancer," the association said.
Among current and former smokers, 41.5% feel less sympathy, compared with 37.6% of people who have never smoked. APOZ says personal experience of smoking does not guarantee more sympathy.
Polling firm Censuswide carried out the survey among adults between 17 and 24 March 2026. In Bulgaria, 1,000 people took part. The report says the data were weighted by age, sex and region.