Event to address implementation of lung cancer screening in Central and Eastern Europe

Lung cancer screening can form part of a comprehensive approach to cancer control, but implementation considerations must be factored into planning and roll-out. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), screening implementation varies; in 2020, Croatia was the first country in the European Union to establish a national programme, but many other countries have not yet made a formal commitment to deliver lung cancer screening. To ensure equitable access for people at high risk of lung cancer, it is important to reflect on the progress that has been made and the challenges of implementing programmes in diverse health systems, economies and social contexts.

On 16 September, the Network and the Croatian National Lung Cancer Screening Program will be hosting an in-person event to discuss practical considerations and next steps for lung cancer screening implementation in the CEE region.

The event will foster shared learning from the successes and experiences of implementing organised screening programmes in CEE and beyond. Speakers – including leading clinicians, researchers and patient advocates – will discuss practical considerations for implementing and optimising screening programmes; share insights into the progress of well-established screening programmes; and identify opportunities for collaboration and shared learning across various settings, supporting improvements in practice.

Speakers will include:

• Aziz Ayed, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US
• Professor David Baldwin, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
• Dr Torsten Gerriet Blum, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Germany
• Professor Harry de Koning, Erasmus University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
• Dr Anna Kerpel-Fronius, National Korányi Institute for Pulmonology, Hungary
• Professor Martina Koziar Vašáková, Thomayer University Hospital and Charles University, Czechia
• Dr Richard Lee, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, UK
• Debra Montague, Lung Cancer Europe
• Professor Witold Rzyman, University Clinical Centre and Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
• Professor Miroslav Samaržija, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia
• Professor Tom Stargardt, Hamburg University, Germany

A report summarising the key takeaways from the event will be shared in due course.