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Interactive map of lung cancer screening
The interactive map of lung cancer screening is a comprehensive resource that showcases low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening programmes around the world.
View the map
Increasing the earlier detection of lung cancer: a toolbox for change
This report presents practical and evidence-based tools to support the development and implementation of an early detection strategy for lung cancer.
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Care pathways for lung cancer: building a foundation for optimal care
This report explores the essential role that care pathways play in delivering best-practice lung cancer care. Currently, only a small number of countries and regions have established formal care pathways for lung cancer.
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Lung cancer screening implementation toolkit
The Lung Cancer Policy Network has developed an implementation framework to support those involved in the planning of lung cancer screening programmes around the world.
Implementation toolkitThe Lung Cancer Policy Network
The Lung Cancer Policy Network is a global alliance of multidisciplinary representatives from the lung cancer and oncology community.
We work to make lung cancer a policy priority around the world by advocating for its earlier detection and improved care.
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Our mission and values
At the Lung Cancer Policy Network, we want to see a world where lung cancer is eliminated as a cause of death.
We aim to do this by engaging with policymakers to make lung cancer a policy priority, encouraging the adoption of LDCT screening for lung cancer, continuing to advocate for the early detection of lung cancer, and optimising the way people access lung cancer diagnoses and treatment.
Our core values are:
- conducting thoughtful research and analysis that draws on multidisciplinary expert perspectives
- providing a forum for exchange that allows for co-creation and alliance building
- developing evidence-based resources to make clear and actionable recommendations to policymakers.
All our outputs are non-promotional, evidence based and shaped by Network members, who come from many countries around the world and contribute a broad range of expertise. Members provide their time for free.
Every action takes us one step closer to a world where lung cancer is no longer a cause of death.
Why lung cancer?
Many of us will know someone who has been affected by lung cancer. Sadly, this condition accounts for one in five cancer-related deaths globally.1
Although smoking is currently the main cause of lung cancer, the number of people diagnosed with lung cancer who have never smoked is rising.2 In 2020 alone, there were 2.2 million new cases of lung cancer and 1.8 million deaths.1
Lung cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment options are limited and survival is poorest.3-5
There are strong social inequalities in the diagnosis, treatment and survival of lung cancer.6-9 It also has a significant economic burden.10-12 The condition’s toll on quality of life can lead to a loss of earnings, placing people with lung cancer under considerable financial pressure. 13-15
Despite this, in many countries lung cancer is not recognised as a priority in health policy.
Latest updates
Blog
What is being done to improve earlier detection of lung cancer?
There are many challenges to detecting lung cancer earlier, whether or not screening programmes are in place, including low awareness and health system capacity.
Blog
Webinar explores the state of lung cancer screening in Asia Pacific
In September 2024, the Lung Cancer Policy Network and the Asia Pacific Coalition against Lung Cancer hosted the webinar ‘Lung cancer screening in Asia Pacific: showcasing advances in implementation across the region'.
News
Webinar to demonstrate the importance of detecting lung cancer earlier
To mark Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Lung Cancer Policy Network is hosting a webinar with a global panel of experts on 13 November.
References
Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, et al. 2020. GLOBOCAN 2020 cancer fact sheet: all cancers. Lyon: Global Cancer Observatory
Kerpel-Fronius A, Tammemägi M, Cavic M, et al. 2021. Screening for Lung Cancer in Individuals Who Never Smoked: An International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Early Detection and Screening Committee Report. J Thorac Oncol: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.07.031
Goldstraw P, Chansky K, Crowley J, et al. 2016. The IASLC lung cancer staging project: proposals for revision of the TNM stage groupings in the forthcoming (eighth) edition of the TNM classification for lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol 11(1): 39-51
Lung Ambition Alliance and The Health Policy Partnership. 2021. Lung cancer screening: the cost of inaction. London: HPP
Allemani C, Matsuda T, Di Carlo V, et al. 2018. Global surveillance of trends in cancer survival 2000–14 (CONCORD-3): analysis of individual records for 37 513 025 patients diagnosed with one of 18 cancers from 322 population-based registries in 71 countries. The Lancet 391(10125): 1023-75
International Agency for Research on Cancer. 2019. Reducing social inequalities in cancer: evidence and priorities for research. Lyon: IARC
Finke I, Behrens G, Weisser L, et al. 2018. Socioeconomic differences and lung cancer survival – systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Oncol 8(536): 1-20
Forrest LF, Adams J, Wareham H, et al. 2013. Socioeconomic inequalities in lung cancer treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med 10(2): e1001376
Peake MD. 2015. Deprivation, distance and death in lung cancer. Thorax 70(2): 108
International Agency for Research on Cancer. 2020. World cancer report: Cancer research for cancer prevention. Lyon: IARC
Luengo-Fernandez R, Leal J, Gray A, et al. 2013. Economic burden of cancer across the European Union: a population-based cost analysis. Lancet Oncol 14(12): 1165-74
Gibson GJ, Loddenkemper R, Sibille Y, et al. 2013. Lung White Book: the economic burden of lung disease. Sheffield: European Respiratory Society: 16-27
Gelband H, Jha P SR, Horton S, , eds. 2015. Cancer: Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 3). Washington DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and The World Bank
Wood R, Taylor-Stokes G, Smith F, et al. 2019. The humanistic burden of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Europe: a real-world survey linking patient clinical factors to patient and caregiver burden. Qual Life Res 28(7): 1849-61
Brown CG, Brodsky J, Cataldo J. 2014. Lung cancer stigma, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. J Psychosoc Oncol 32(1): 59-73