The Lung Cancer Policy Network, the Asia Pacific Coalition against Lung Cancer (APCLC), and Asia Pacific Policy Review and Engagement (ASPIRE) for Lung Cancer hosted a collaborative workshop during the 2025 Asia Conference on Lung Cancer. The workshop brought together experts from across the region to address practical challenges and solutions for implementing effective screening programmes. The discussions focused on two critical areas: eligibility and recruitment, and workforce and technical capacity.
Key takeaways from the discussions included:
- Tailored approaches are essential: Screening programmes must use region-specific evidence and criteria, reflecting unique risk profiles – especially among people who do not smoke, and women.
- Leverage existing systems: Integrating screening with current health programmes and data registries improves efficiency and reach.
- Phased expansion: Start with basic eligibility (age, smoking status), then expand as capacity grows.
- Workforce and technology: AI tools and decentralised models can help address workforce shortages and technical barriers.
- Community engagement: Targeted outreach and education are needed to improve public understanding and participation, especially among high-risk groups.
- Collaboration: Sharing experiences and solutions across countries accelerates progress.
The Network believes these conversations will encourage ongoing cooperation and help advance lung cancer screening in the Asia-Pacific region. We sincerely thank everyone who dedicated their time and knowledge to making this important workshop possible.
