Yesterday, we joined Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE) for the virtual launch of their 9th report, “Empowering Voices: Knowledge and Decision-Making Among People Impacted by Lung Cancer in Europe”. The event was an important reminder of the importance of patient-centered care and the urgent need for better awareness, shared decision-making, and early intervention in lung cancer treatment.
We heard from the social democrat MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis, who opened the event emphasising how policy, prevention, and education are essential to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients. He stated that “we, as policymakers, need to work together with patients, doctors, and experts to achieve the best possible outcomes as there are ongoing opportunities to fight against tobacco, reduce air pollution, and guarantee access to healthy environments.”
The need for early diagnosis and equitable access to treatment was echoed throughout his talk, highlighting how patient involvement in decisions is linked with positive outcomes, such as increased knowledge about treatment options and better quality of life. He also acknowledged that it is always challenging to promote preventive interventions, emphasising the importance of the influence of patient and medical organisations. He remains a strong advocate for lung health and is an active member of our MEP Lung Health Group.
Dr. Georgia Hardavella, secretary of ERS’s Assembly on Thoracic Oncology, stressed the importance of empathetic communication between healthcare professionals and patients. She presented an interesting concept known as ‘silent misdiagnosis,’ explaining that “if my patient is not aware of all the reasonable options and all the potential outcomes, and if I’m not aware of my patient’s lifestyle, then we are going to end up with an uninformed decision.” She acknowledged some challenges, such as time constraints and the need for continuous training throughout a professional’s career, while pointing to the necessity of standardised clinician education in shared decision-making to ensure patients are fully informed and actively involved in their treatment decisions.
We also heard from advocates like Nicoleen Ehrhardt and John Clark, who shared poignant stories about their journeys with lung cancer, underscoring the need for awareness, knowledge, and support for both patients and caregivers. Their message was clear: it’s vital for people impacted by lung cancer to be partners in their care, not just recipients.
The insights shared yesterday align deeply with our mission in the EU-funded SOLACE project: to empower patients, ensure their voices are heard, and foster collaboration between clinicians, policymakers, and patient organisations.
At the end of the meeting, MEP Andrew Keisz delivered a recorded message emphasizing all the work that still needs to be done to raise awareness about lung cancer’s risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of early detection, noting that “many people do not recognise the early signs of lung cancer, and 55.3% of those diagnosed were unaware that they were part of a risk group.”
We’re committed to continuing this important conversation, working together to drive meaningful change by raising awareness of lung cancer and early detection, supporting risk reduction efforts, and enabling shared decision-making to help improve quality of life.
The Lungs Europe enterprise number is 0738.383.695
