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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.
Find out more
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
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 toolkitLatest updates
News
New report highlights practical considerations to advance the earlier detection of lung cancer
The Lung Cancer Policy Network has published a report which recognises the importance of earlier detection for improving outcomes for people with lung cancer.
News
New report seeks to support policymakers in developing high-quality care pathways for lung cancer
The Lung Cancer Policy Network has published a new report focusing on the importance of establishing high-quality care pathways for lung cancer.
News
Network joins FOKUS Patient Cancer Forum to advance EU screening priorities
In this blog we reflect on some of the main messages we heard from the fantastic presentations and discussions that took place at the event.
The Lung Cancer Policy Network
The Lung Cancer Policy Network is an international, multidisciplinary alliance that aims to make lung cancer a policy priority worldwide. The Network’s initial goal is to create a community of exchange, through which lessons learnt from the implementation of lung cancer screening can be shared.
We hope to help create momentum for lung cancer screening to become a key policy consideration, ultimately leading to earlier detection of lung cancer and improved treatment outcomes.
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.
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.
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