The earlier detection of lung cancer is essential for reducing deaths and ensuring that more people benefit from a wide range of treatments. A variety of tools and approaches are being implemented around the world to achieve this, and strategies adopted at the national level must be designed according to the needs of each population and health system.
Our work in earlier detection includes lung cancer screening, and you can access our dedicated resources about screening here.
Harnessing innovation to optimise lung cancer diagnosis for better equity, access and outcomes
Optimising the diagnosis of lung cancer can save lives, improve outcomes and enhance access to equitable care.
Yet, despite advances in science transforming our understanding of the disease, the timeliness and quality of lung cancer diagnosis is suboptimal globally, contributing to poor outcomes and unnecessary loss of life. Systematic efforts are needed to raise awareness and harness innovation throughout the diagnostic process – helping reduce risks, costs and potential delays – and to offer a route to better outcomes.
This report provides recommended actions for health system leaders and decision-makers to optimise lung cancer diagnosis and improve equity, access and outcomes.
Enhancing the earlier detection of lung cancer: effective management of incidental pulmonary nodules
The appropriate management of people with incidental pulmonary nodules (IPNs) offers a route to detect lung cancer earlier among those who are not eligible for or cannot access screening programmes using low-dose computed tomography.
With case studies from a range of locations and expert insights, this report outlines various approaches to effectively managing individuals with IPNs. It provides policymakers with clear recommendations to optimise detecting, tracking and following up on IPNs, and consequently improve the early detection of lung cancer.
Throughout this report, we have endeavoured to be considerate of the diversity of health systems and resource constraints, providing guidance that can be tailored to various contexts.
Increasing the earlier detection of lung cancer: a toolbox for change report
Presenting case studies from a variety of health systems, this report considers the key components of comprehensive approaches and tools to detect lung cancer earlier. In addition, the report looks at emerging innovations in earlier detection and examines how health systems can prepare to adopt them.
Policymakers and advocates can use the report’s actionable recommendations in their own settings to facilitate earlier detection.
Policy engagement resources
The policy engagement resources support lung cancer advocates in communicating key messages to decision-makers. The resources can be used to engage health system leaders and policymakers, and to demonstrate the need to implement a range of earlier detection strategies to improve lung cancer survival.
Report summary
A visual summary of the report Increasing the earlier detection of lung cancer: a toolbox for change was developed to raise awareness among policymakers of the importance of developing and implementing earlier detection strategies for lung cancer.
Standalone figures
The downloadable key figures from the report Increasing the earlier detection of lung cancer: a toolbox for change can be used in presentations and online to demonstrate the importance of earlier detection in improving care and reducing deaths from lung cancer.
