Canadian Cancer Society Launches Plan to Cut Lung Cancer Deaths by 30%

The Canadian Cancer Society has introduced an ambitious initiative aimed at reducing lung cancer fatalities by 30 percent over the next decade. Unveiled during a national conference in Calgary on November 2, 2023, the 2026–2035 Pan-Canadian Lung Cancer Action Plan is being described as a pivotal effort to alter the trajectory of the country’s deadliest form of cancer.

Annemarie Edwards, vice-president of cancer strategy and innovation at the Canadian Cancer Society and co-chair of the Lung Cancer Action Plan steering committee, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Canada is experiencing a lung cancer crisis, and despite advances in treatment and detection, we’re still seeing lung cancer as the highest cause of cancer death,” she stated. “Focused collective action is required.”

Four Key Priorities

The Action Plan outlines a coordinated approach centered on four key priorities. Edwards highlighted the alarming statistics, noting that lung cancer mortality rates are comparable to the combined deaths from breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. “Too many lives are being cut short,” she said. “Canada needs to work together to achieve the goal of the Lung Cancer Action Plan, which is to reduce lung cancer deaths by 30 percent over the next ten years, ultimately saving thousands of lives.”

A significant aspect of the plan is its aim to address the stigma surrounding lung cancer. Edwards pointed out that many people still believe the disease only affects smokers. “We need to get the message out that lung cancer is not only due to smoking tobacco. Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer,” she asserted. “Stigma is a major factor, and we need to change attitudes; even if you are a smoker, you are eligible for access to care.”

Awareness and Access

Dr. Christian Finley, a thoracic surgeon and co-chair of the steering committee, stressed the importance of awareness and accessibility in tackling lung cancer. He noted that more people die from lung cancer than from colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. “We have the toolkit available already. We just need to execute it… lung cancer screening is more effective than any other cancer screening that we have,” Finley stated.

He also highlighted environmental factors contributing to lung cancer, such as radon exposure and wildfire smoke. “Thirty percent of lung cancer occurs in people who don’t smoke,” he added, indicating that the disease affects a broad spectrum of Canadians.

For Jan Pezarro, a three-time lung cancer survivor, the plan underscores the necessity of early detection and uniformity in access to screening across the nation. “I know in Canada, we have constrained resources for different treatments,” she remarked. “Is it possible that lung cancer screening didn’t come as high up the list because of that stigma? Unfortunately, it may be true on some level.”

Pezarro stressed that expanding access to screening programs is crucial. “The reality is that for a publicly funded healthcare system, the cost-benefit is so much greater if we can find lung cancer early,” she explained. “Notwithstanding, the human cost of losing a loved one to lung cancer.”

Edwards concluded with an optimistic outlook regarding the plan’s potential success. “We are very optimistic that this will be like nothing ever before in Canada,” she said. “Never before has the lung cancer ecosystem come together like this with one specific goal that is measurable, and we will be accountable for measuring our achievements.”

The Canadian Cancer Society is urging governments, researchers, and communities to participate in this vital initiative, emphasizing that collective action is essential to save lives over the next decade. More information can be found at cancer.ca/lungcanceractionplan.