Cancer Australia is seeking public input into plans to deliver a national screening program for people at high risk of lung cancer.
Chief Executive of Cancer Australia, Dorothy Keefe said it was estimated there would be more than 12,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed this year in Australia, with more than 9,000 deaths from the disease.
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia,” Professor Keefe said.
“There are currently three national screening programs for cancer in Australia and they are for bowel, breast and cervical cancers, all of which have better survival than lung cancer,” she said.
Professor Keefe said the new Lung Cancer Screening enquiry would help Cancer Australia design a possible screening program.
“This is why we are urging all Australians from every sector with an interest in lung cancer to have their say.”
She said the enquiry would look at the feasibility, design, cost-effectiveness and implementation of a national lung cancer screening program, including the benefits and harms of screening and which people should be screened, how often, and with which test.
She said Cancer Australia’s Consultation Hub would be open for submissions until 17 February 2020 and would include a series of questions to seek feedback from members of the public, people affected by cancer, health professionals, clinical colleges, researchers and research institutes, cancer organisations, peak bodies and Governments.
Information on the enquiry can be accessed at this PS News link.
