The latest news round-up from our colleagues at the Lung Cancer Policy Network includes several items of value to members of the GLCC.
This article reflects on the process which led to the UK government recommending the introduction of a national lung cancer screening across England. Note: we continue to urge that the devolved governments of the other nations in the UK should follow suit and introduce similar measures.
Case study: England’s progress from pilot to national programme
Network members Prof. John Field and Prof. David Baldwin have shared their insights on the iterative process that led to commitment to a national screening programme for lung cancer in England, and its ongoing implementation.
This article explores key steps in the iterative process that led to the UK government’s commitment to implementing a national screening programme for lung cancer in England. It also discusses the importance of building a national evidence base for lung cancer screening, with insights from Network members Professor David Baldwin and Professor John Field.
Learning from pilots and trials
Over the past 20 years, randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses from locations around the world have demonstrated that low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer significantly reduces mortality from the disease.1-4 Findings from these landmark studies led to further research specific to the UK and England, including:
- UK Lung Cancer Screening (UKLS) pilot trial5
- Liverpool Healthy Lung Programme6
- Lung Health Check pilot, Manchester7
- Lung Screen Uptake Trial (LSUT)8
- West London lung screening pilot trial9
- Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial (YLST)10
- SUMMIT study.11
These UK-based trials, pilots and studies explored different aspects of the screening process in order to lay the foundations for a national programme, including how best to identify and engage potential participants. They also analysed cancer detection rates and cost-effectiveness.
