For Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, HPP coordinated a programme of activities for the Lung Cancer Policy Network to build the case for the early detection of lung cancer.
Blog
Our blog post featured case studies of various early detection approaches around the world. The post highlighted the benefits of early detection and explored strategies that can be implemented as part of cancer control plans.
Webinar
Drawing on recommendations made in the Network’s 2023 report Increasing the earlier detection of lung cancer: a toolbox for change, a panel of global experts participated in a webinar that explored opportunities for early detection, including low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening, the management of incidental pulmonary nodules (IPNs), targeted lung cancer checks, raising awareness and prioritising lung cancer in policy.
Report exploring management of incidental pulmonary nodules
The Network expanded its evidence-informed recommendations on earlier detection in a new report, Enhancing the earlier detection of lung cancer: effective management of incidental pulmonary nodules. The report explores approaches to optimising the management of IPNs through three core stages – detection, tracking and follow-up – and proposes recommendations for policymakers to ensure that IPN management pathways maximise the opportunity to detect lung cancer earlier and align with individual health systems, contexts and resources.
Messages from members
We ran a social media campaign underscoring the importance of detecting lung cancer earlier, including messages from Network members to policymakers on how to achieve this.
Late-stage diagnosis not only limits chances of survival, but also results in restricted treatment options and complex clinical management, contributing to higher healthcare costs. There is a broad consensus that increasing the earlier detection of lung cancer offers a unique opportunity to improve outcomes and survival, with five-year survival rates of over 70% reported for early-stage diagnoses.
HPP is Secretariat for the Lung Cancer Policy Network, which was established in 2021. The Network is a global multidisciplinary alliance of lung cancer experts, with over 90 members representing 30 countries and 21 organisations.
Find out more on the Lung Cancer Policy Network website.
