The UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC) Early Diagnosis Matters report was released at the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) 2020 Annual Conference in Dublin. Download the report below or watch Professor Mick Peake explain the importance of access to early to diagnosis in this video by VJ Oncology. Tom Newsom Davies also discusses the report.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced a new report on the impact of lung cancer. The report considers how NICE’s evidence based guidance can contribute to improvements in the care of people with lung cancer. 

The UKLCC have also launched Access Matters Report on achieving universal access to optimal lung cancer care. The report outlines four key themes identified by the authors as priority areas for action including service configuration – specialist vs local, patient fitness assessment, models of follow-up and workforce issues. You can watch this video by VJ Oncology where Mick Peake explains the outputs of the report.

In 2001, nine organisations with an interest in lung cancer came together and formed the Global Lung Cancer Coalition. Today, the GLCC is comprised of 38 non-government patient
organisations from around the world. Read their latest newsletter, UNiTY to find out more about their activities.

In association with MSD, and hosted by MP, James Brokenshire who spoke at the 2019 LCNUK Conference, LCNUK is running a Parliamentary Fly In to highlight the value of the Lung CNS and the important and valuable role they play. The event is likely to take place on Wednesday, 4th March. If you are interested in attending please register your interest.

Mesothelioma UK is committed to supporting research into all aspects of treatment and care related to mesothelioma. Working in collaboration with LCNUK, up to £25,000 is available for a member or group of members to undertake a small scale research study, a complex audit or a preliminary enquiry to support a larger grant application. Full guidelines and application details are available online.

We are delighted to announce the second Promoting Research in Oncology Nursing workshop on 4/5 June at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham. This workshop aims to explore and support those participating in moving from an idea for research to developing a full funding proposal.  Participants will be eligible to apply to LCNUK for financial support to take their research idea.

The Royal College of Physicians have produced a patient-level booklet to help inform lung cancer patients, their families and their carers about the level of care they can expect. Working with the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation they consulted lung cancer patients, carers and families to help write the booklet, which showcases the results from the 2018 NLCA annual report. There's also a survey where you can provide feedback on the booklet.

MPEs can be a difficult concept to understand and a burden to patients. There are numerous different ways to manage MPEs with not one being shown to be vastly superior to another. Therefore, individual circumstances and preferences are a critical factor in decision making for patients and carers with MPE. Dr Matt Evison and colleauges have developed a web-based patient information and decision aid tool to help explain this condition, how it can be managed and what priorities and preferences patients and carers may wish to think about when making treatment decisions. The content has been co-produced from the outset by patients, carers and clinicians through dedicated focus groups. Matt would be delighted to hear your feedback.

This year's Mesothelioma UK Ladies' Lunch will take place on Friday 6th March 2020 at the Macdonald Hotel, Manchester.  The thre course lunch costs £25.00 per person in aid of Mesothelioma UK.  For more information please contact info@mesothelioma.uk.com

Currently, there's no approved National Guidance on how to follow up lung cancer patients after surgery, reports Simon Bolton, "and even within our own region the intervals between imaging and appointments vary. I hope to demonstrate that a wide variety of follow up protocols are used to support patients and detect recurrent disease after surgical resection of lung cancer". You can help Simon by completing a short audit questionnaire (16 questions which take only 5 minutes to complete). The study will not identify which is the 'best' method of follow up but should provide insight into the more commonly used protocols and help guide future projects. Only one LCNS is required to complete the survey from each hospital so please coordinate with your colleagues on who will respond for your hospital. Please complete before 29 February.