Regional rally cry for enhanced lung cancer treatment: ASPREE for Lung Cancer initiates APAC Lung Cancer Policy Agreement as a unifying force for better lung cancer management across Asia-Pacific regions
In the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for nearly 60% of global cases [1]. To address this pressing issue, the APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus has been launched, aiming to drive meaningful change that will improve survival rates and quality of life for lung cancer patients across the region.
This comprehensive consensus document is the first of its kind, designed to improve lung cancer care in the APAC region by addressing its unique challenges. These include a high prevalence of lung cancer in never-smokers, driven by environmental and genetic factors, and significant disparities in healthcare resources across countries [2].
The APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus was unveiled on 31 July 2025 in Singapore, following a collaborative effort involving over 43 contributors, including clinicians, academics, patient advocates, and health organizations across 14 APAC health systems. The initiative lays out a unified policy framework anchored in five core principles [3]:
- Improve and Expand Prevention: Strengthen tobacco control, public education, and research on environmental risks to prevent lung cancer from all exposure types.
- Focus on Early Detection: Expand access to screening and diagnostics through inclusive guidelines and innovative technologies for timely lung cancer detection.
- Ensure Equitable & Sustainable Access to Treatment: Promote affordable and timely access to modern, personalized lung cancer therapies across diverse healthcare settings.
- Build Partnerships and Promote Investment: Foster cross-sector collaboration and advocacy to drive investment and policy reforms in lung cancer care.
- Combat Stigma, Recognizing Lung Cancer as a Social Determinant of Public Health: Address stigma through education and empowerment to support early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and community acceptance.
The APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus aligns closely with the Global Lung Cancer Consensus, first ratified at the 9th International Lung Cancer Network in 2023 [4]. ASPIRE for Lung Cancer, a collaborative multilateral effort focused on improving lung cancer outcomes in the APAC region, will continue to engage with policymakers, healthcare leaders, and patient advocacy groups to ensure the consensus principles are translated into concrete action.
For those interested in learning more about the APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus or getting involved in advancing lung cancer care in the region, visit www.aspirelungcancer.com. ASPIRE for Lung Cancer can also be contacted at [email protected]. The goal is to drive transformative changes that enhance patient access and care, ultimately reducing the burden and improving outcomes for lung cancer patients in the APAC region.
[1] World Health Organization. (2022). Global Health Observatory data repository. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main-es-cancer-mortality-all-sex-age-group-country-time-series [2] World Health Organization. (2020). Lung cancer in never-smokers. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer-in-never-smokers [3] ASPIRE for Lung Cancer. (2025). APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus. Retrieved from https://www.aspirelungcancer.com/apac-lung-cancer-policy-consensus/ [4] International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. (2023). Global Lung Cancer Consensus. Retrieved from https://www.iaslc.org/global-lung-cancer-consensus/
Science plays a crucial role in addressing medical-conditions such as lung cancer, which accounts for nearly 60% of global cancer cases and remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. To combat this issue, the APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus, a health-and-wellness initiative, was launched to improve treatment, detection, and prevention of lung cancer, focusing on early detection, equitable access to treatment, and combating stigma to ultimately reduce the burden on patients in the APAC region.
