Reflections from LuCE’s inaugural conference

Last month, the Network had the privilege of attending the inaugural Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE) conference in Vienna. The conference came at an important moment, as lung cancer patient advocacy, innovation and policy agendas are increasingly intersecting at the EU and national levels.
 

Recognition of lung cancer in the European policy agenda

The programme demonstrated clearly that lung cancer is gaining visibility in European policy discussions – including in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the Cancer Mission – and many of the discussions focused on the growing attention to early detection and the importance of personalised care. A theme that ran throughout the sessions was the challenge of translating these high‑level commitments into fair and timely access for patients, particularly in the face of widening disparities.
 

Innovation, data and the future of access

Other key themes included access to innovation, and the growing role of AI, real‑world evidence and federated data in shaping regulatory and reimbursement decisions. Discussions also reflected emerging debates around the European Health Data Space and how data‑driven innovation can move from evidence into everyday care without leaving patients behind. There was also a strong emphasis on ensuring that patient voices remain central as policy frameworks evolve.
 

Co‑creation: the engine of policy progress

What made the conference particularly impactful was its focus on co‑creation. Rather than relying solely on plenary presentations, it created space for interactive panel discussions and breakout sessions, and included networking opportunities for everyone attending.

The approach to developing the programme and the sessions highlighted that progress in lung cancer policy depends not just on new initiatives, but on collaboration across borders, disciplines and communities – and on learning from each other what works in practice.

We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners in Europe and beyond, building on this shared momentum to drive meaningful progress for everyone affected by lung cancer.