Lung cancer in Europe not prioritised despite poor survival rates6 June 2008 The fragmented organisation and management of lung cancer diagnosis and care in many European countries are exacerbating already poor survival rates amongst patients with the disease. That is the conclusion of a new report from a group of leading Swedish researchers [1]. There is a great need to improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer. It is the most lethal form of cancer in Europe and causes between 15-28% of all cancer deaths. The burden lung cancer places on patients and their relatives is profound; it also places a significant economic burden on society. "There is a real need to improve survival and outcomes for people with lung cancer" said Nils Wilking of the Karolinska Institutet and primary author of the report. "We hope that this report will help both stimulate and measure the success of developments and changes in lung cancer services and ultimately improve patient outcomes." Key findings in the report include:
The report includes data from 20 countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. The selection of countries was based on available data sources as well as input from key opinion leaders within the selected countries. Reference1. Wilking, N, Hogberg D and Jönsson B. Benchmarking
Report of Lung Cancer Care in selected European Countries. Karolinska
Institutet, i3 Innovus, Stockholm School of Economics, 2008. ![]() |
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