Impact report

It’s been a remarkable two years for so many reasons. In the last 12 months alone we’ve seen lung cancer take priority as more organisations and people continue to raise awareness of lung cancer. Our dedication has never wavered as we continue to be there for all those affected by the disease.

Dedicated to lung cancer

As our charity enters its fourth decade during unprecedented times, one thing that remains constant – our dedication to lung cancer.

Over the past two years the world focused its efforts on recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. For us that meant:

• Restoring lung cancer referral rates to pre-pandemic levels
• Restarting and expanding the targeted lung health checks
• Providing practical and emotional support as shielding ends
• Tackling symptom misconception, including those associated with Covid and long Covid
• Addressing access to primary care

The National Lung Cancer Audit published its State of the Nation Report which does find that lung cancer is recovering from Covid but there remains work to be done. And Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation will continue to lead this charge.

Dedicated to early detection

We know that the sooner lung cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat, and for over 33 years we’ve been campaigning to get a National Screening Programme approved. And we did it!  

This is the announcement we have been campaigning for since the National Screening Committee made its recommendation for targeted lung cancer screening back in September, and in fact, since our charity was founded in 1990

Paula Chadwick, Chief Executive of RCLCF

Our #NeedtoScreen campaign in 2022 called on government officials to roll out a national programme, following the incredible findings from the Targeted Lung Health Checks.   

Since the pilot programme started, over 2000 lung cancers have been caught through the 43 pilot programmes to date, with 76% of cancers detected at stages one and two. 

Dedicated to raising awareness

Screening will be the biggest step forward in early detection. However as monumental as this will be, it is by no means the complete solution. 

We see it as our responsibility to lead the charge in finding ways to improve early detection in people experiencing symptoms. In the last two years we’ve hosted two empowering campaigns to raise awareness of the disease, its signs and symptoms.  

This resulted in Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation featuring on THE CUT, hosted by Davina McCall and Michael Douglas in 2021. 

And last year we teamed up with the NHS for the Let’s Talk Lung Cancer Roadshow, an eight-week community outreach programme that increased awareness of lung health. 

Dedicated to research

Lung cancer research has been at the heart of our charity since it was founded in 1990. Despite the impact of Covid, there were still various research projects being undertaken.  

We also funded our third lung cancer research fellow, Dr Helen Morgan, in our pursuit to develop the next generation of lung cancer researchers.  

The three areas our research focuses on is early detection, patient experience and more recently, the DECLINE project. This was pioneered by Dr Emma O’Dowd which looked at why people who receive an early-stage diagnosis refuse curative-intent treatment.

The DECLINE project was published in the journal of Oncology and Therapy.

Dedicated to support

Being diagnosed with lung cancer is terrifying and the pandemic plus the cost-of-living crisis has made the dreadful experience even more dire. 

It is our intention to be there for all those affected by the disease, providing practical, emotional and financial support to everyone who needs it. 

We offer a range of services that patients, carers and family members can access, including our Ask the Nurse Helpline. In the last two years, our nurses received 2,463 new enquires, which demonstrates the impact of our awareness campaigns and community engagement activity.  

Dedicated to the environment

We play our part, however we can.  

With air pollution contributing to around 8 percent of all cases of lung cancer, it is vital we all do our bit to reduce our impact on the environment. 

In 2022 our corporate partners Virtus Energy and Zaptec sponsored a zero-tailpipe-emission electric van (which we affectionally call Ernie!) to support our community engagement work. With no tailpipe, pure electric cars produce no carbon dioxide emissions when driving. This reduces air pollution considerably.

Our high street shops are also a contributing factor that help the environment by slowing down fast fashion. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions and by offering sustainable options via donated clothes, furniture and books, to name a few, we can help cut those emissions. Shopping second-hand reduces production and packaging that impacts on the environment.  

All of our work and the impact of it has is only possible because of the generous donations of our incredible supporters.  

Make your own impact. Donate today.