Michaela Regan, EU Policy and Engagement Manager at Lung Cancer Europe, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“This morning I had the opportunity to attend the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) roundtable on lung cancer, one year on from the WHO Lung Health Resolution. Many thanks to Yannick R. for the invitation.
It was incredibly valuable to be part of such a diverse discussion, bringing together perspectives from patients, industry, and global organisations including IARC and WHO. Conversations like this are essential to fully understand the current state of lung cancer and, importantly, where the greatest opportunities for progress lie.
A few reflections that stood out for me:
- Prevention and early detection remain critical
Screening and prevention were central themes throughout the discussion. There is still much more to be done to strengthen smoking cessation efforts and tackle air pollution—both major drivers of lung cancer. While reducing exposure will have a long-term impact on population health, improving access to screening is essential to enable earlier diagnosis and better patient outcomes. - Barriers to scaling screening persist globally
Challenges around cost-effectiveness, workforce capacity, and equitable access continue to slow the roll-out of screening programmes. An interesting point raised was that while numerous studies demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening, most evidence comes from high-income settings. This limits its applicability, as policymakers—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—need context-specific data to inform decisions. - The role of primary care is pivotal—but under pressure
GPs are uniquely positioned to identify individuals at risk, including smokers, former smokers, and those with occupational exposure. However, they are also facing increasing demands, with workforce pressures expected to intensify in the coming years. This is an important but often overlooked factor when discussing the feasibility of expanding screening. - Sustainable funding is essential for meaningful progress
A recurring theme was that even the strongest policy frameworks cannot succeed without adequate funding. Greater investment in health systems is critical—not only to implement screening programmes, but to support broader cancer control efforts and improve patient outcomes overall.
A thought-provoking session that reinforced the importance of collaboration across sectors to drive meaningful change in lung cancer care.”
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