5 YEARS IN THE MAKING, TARGETED NATIONAL LUNG CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM COMMENCES IN 2025 Lung Foundation Australia CEO talks about opportunity to treat patients presenting at early stage instead of late stage
Australian Health Journal SEGMENT
Filmed in Adelaide | February 2025
INTERVIEWED
Mark Brooke, Chief Executive Officer
Lung Foundation Australia
In February 2025, Australian Health Journal spoke with Mark Brooke, Chief Executive Officer of Lung Foundation Australia, at the 10th Australian Lung Cancer Conference in Adelaide, on the upcoming commencement of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP)
The conference theme, Evolution and Revolution in Lung Cancer, was chosen in recognition of the historic significance of 2025. Mr Brooke emphasised the importance of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, which is set to begin on July 1st.
The Australian Government’s $267 million investment in the National Lung Cancer Screening Program aims to vastly improve lung cancer detection, treatment, and survivorship. When launched it will be Australia’s first new screening program in over 20 years.
Following a request from the Australian Government, Cancer Australia undertook an enquiry into lung cancer screening, publishing a report that informed the development of the NLCSP.
As the health peak advisory body to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Lung Foundation aims to amplify the lived experiences of patients within this program. After nearly five years of preparation, the initiative is a crucial step in moving lung cancer diagnoses from late stages (three and four) to early stages (one and two), significantly improving patient care.
Mr Brooke expressed optimism that the timing for this screening program is ideal for Australia, given that lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer. The program’s implementation is particularly challenging because it integrates with General Practice, requiring collaboration from healthcare professionals. While acknowledging potential hurdles, Mr Brooke is confident that the organisation and preparation for the program are well on track.
The program specifically addresses the needs of priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, who are disproportionately affected by lung cancer. Efforts have been made to provide culturally safe experiences and mobile CT services through partnerships with organisations like Heart of Australia, ensuring access for rural and remote populations.
Over the past five years, the Lung Foundation has collaborated with state governments to support the role of specialist lung cancer nurses. This initiative has proven to enhance timely care and improve patient pathways, ultimately striving for better outcomes in lung cancer treatment.
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Launch of Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care
The movement to value based healthcare across the industry in Australia, gained pace last month, with the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association launch of the Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care.
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HIGHLIGHTS The power of social determinants of health, panel discussion
Clinicians and consumers know only too well that life circumstances such as poor housing, income and food insecurity can have a negative impact on health outcomes. Conversely, participation in community activities, social connection and access to nature parks and leisure facilities can help maintain health and wellbeing.
More recent phenomena in public health have also focused us on the health and social care connection. Stress factors such as the sudden loss of employment and social interaction, moving to remote work or schooling, and the impacts of sudden, localised COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ to prevent further outbreaks were triggers of increased psychological distress.
And loneliness is being described as our latest epidemic with chronic loneliness inked to a myriad of health problems and earlier death. A recent report found one in four Australians say they feel persistently lonely, and that loneliness costs $2.7 bn a year in health costs alone.
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Analogy of the system, rather than the ED front door
“The problem of blockages shows up in ambulance ramping and long wait times, but this is a complex issue requiring whole-of-health system solutions,” according to Professor Hugh Grantham, Chair of Emergency Medicine Foundation in an interview with Australian Health Journal.
