Lung cancer experts address unwarranted variation in diagnosis and treatment 

We are inspired by a single vision to transform patients’ lives through science. As a leader in oncology, we are committed to advancing cancer care and delivering medicines that help to empower people with the disease to have a better future. Within lung cancer, this commitment involves exploring new, personalised treatment options, and collaborating with all stakeholders to turn data into insights that can help to change the course of disease through earlier detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and the most common cause of cancer death, accounting for 21% of all cancer deaths.¹ The symptoms of lung cancer may not be experienced at the earlier stages of the disease, but there are some common signs as it progresses.² Due to recent advances and newly emerging therapeutic options, the treatment paradigm in lung cancer is changing rapidly. Stage II/III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has particularly benefited from the advent of curative-intent multi-modality treatment, in which local and systemic therapies are combined. However, as new therapies and treatment approaches continue to emerge, the complexity of decision-making increases, putting additional pressure on clinicians already battling to achieve National Optimal Lung Cancer Pathway targets.

We recently partnered with Health Service Journal (HSJ) to bring together a group of lung cancer experts to a peer-to-peer roundtable event to address the unwarranted variation in management of patients undergoing multimodal curative intent lung cancer treatment. Chaired by Professor Matthew Evison, a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine (Thoracic Oncology), the expert panel consisted of chest physicians, medical oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pathologists, a clinical nurse specialist, and a representative from Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

The panelists identified several barriers to achieving high-quality service delivery, standardised care, and good patient experiences, as well as unwarranted variation for patients with NSCLC, which is a significant focus for the NHS. The group highlighted that work is needed around four key areas of the lung cancer pathway:

• Improving diagnosis and staging.
• Optimising biomarker testing.
• Personalising treatment to optimise patient outcomes.
• Improving shared decision making.

The ‘Curative-intent, multi-modality treatment for non-small cell lung cancer’ thought piece shares the experts’ key takeaways, examples of best practice, and discusses key ambitions for the lung cancer pathway. Collectively the group has called for a pathway change to shift the diagnoses and treatment paradigm for NSCLC patients.³

Commenting on the Bristol Myers Squibb initiated and sponsored roundtable event, Professor Matthew Evison said: “Multimodality treatment in lung cancer is evolving rapidly, making it challenging to deliver personalised care efficiently. Through an expert roundtable, we've identified key barriers and solutions. Our detailed report outlines the current landscape and provides a roadmap for delivering optimal patient outcomes, which, if implemented across the NHS, could significantly enhance patient care.”

Download the thought piece to learn what the group of experts said about diagnosis, biomarker testing, patient selection, and decision making. Learn more about the prevalence, signs, and symptoms of lung cancer.

References

¹ United Kingdom Lung Cancer Coalition. About Lung Cancer. Available at: https://www.uklcc.org.uk/about-lung-cancer. Last accessed: June 2024.

² NHS. Lung cancer symptoms. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms/. Last accessed: June 2024.

³ Curative-intent, multi-modality treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. Available at: https://www.bms.com/assets/bms/gb/en_gb/images/HSJ-lung-cancer-pathway-round-table-interactive-white-paper-ONC-GB-2400339.pdf. Last accessed: June 2024.