Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
Australia screens for lung cancer. England screens for lung cancer. New Zealand does not, yet it is the country’s deadliest cancer.
Lung cancer kills more Kiwis than any other cancer and is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women. This year, it will claim the lives of 1800 Kiwis.
With such stark outcomes, strengthening the national approach to lung cancer has never been more urgent.
Today, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is announcing it is formally absorbing the Lung Foundation NZ, strengthening its national respiratory voice.
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says this news also signifies the passing of the baton to champion for a national lung cancer screening programme.
Health New Zealand have been developing a proposed case for a national lung screening programme, but it seems little has been done to progress it, she says.
“The business case has been done, yet they seem to have stalled on implementation.
“We screen for breast, cervical, and bowel cancer, yet the cancer that kills the most New Zealanders still has no screening programme.”
There needs to be an urgent implementation of this targeted screening programme for people at high-risk, Ms Harding says.
About 85 per cent of lung cancer is attributable to tobacco smoking, particularly among people who started young, smoked heavily, or smoked over many years, she says.
“We know who is most at risk. We have the technology to detect it earlier. Now we need the commitment.”
Health New Zealand’s proposed programme would target people aged 50-74 based on individual risk, focusing on those with significant smoking histories.
Modelling suggests that over 20 years, the programme could detect around 9000 lung cancers and save more than 6000 lives – around 300 lives each year.
Despite advances in treatment, lung cancer survival remains significantly lower than most other major cancers, in part because many cases are diagnosed at stage III or IV, often after presentation to an emergency department, Ms Harding says.
“We know that earlier detection is associated with less intensive treatment, lower costs, and better outcomes, so it should be a priority for the current – and incoming – Government.”
Lung Foundation NZ Board Chair Dalton Kelly says transferring the Lung Foundation’s work into the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation ensures advocacy continues with greater scale.
“The Lung Foundation was established to stand up for people facing one of the toughest diagnoses imaginable.
“Placing that work within a 60-year national respiratory organisation gives it long-term strength at a time when screening and early detection are critical.”
The Foundation is calling on the government to implement the proposed programme within two years, and for this to be included in the 2027 Budget.
