Healthcare systems in Europe need to set up and begin to use large-scale screening programmes so that people can be diagnosed early

The European Respiratory Journal has published a paper on lung cancer screening. This paper was produced by the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS).

The authors of the paper write that Europe’s healthcare systems need to have organised pathways so that people can be diagnosed early. And that now is the time to set up and begin to use large-scale screening programmes.

Members of the ELF lung cancer patient advisory group and members of Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE) provided a patient perspective on screening programmes in Europe. They also contributed by writing parts of the paper and reviewing it.

Their input was valuable because they ensured that the paper addressed key issues that could impact on the success and effectiveness of screening programmes such as the need to:

• create accessible information about benefits and risks screening
• tackle the stigma attached to smoking tobacco and lung cancer which can prevent people from getting screened; and
• have systems in place so that people receive follow-ups and care soon after screening.

Both the ESR and ERS expect that publishing this paper will encourage discussion and action to implement lung cancer screening programmes in European countries.They also recognise that European and national medical societies and patient organisations need to promote screening to raise awareness.

Read the full paper at https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/55/2/1900506