After the great response last week’s blog had from our Director of Support Services, we thought we’d ask Lorraine, our Director of Information and Support, to put pen to paper too (or fingers to keyboard) and share her experience from last month’s Annual British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) Conference.
Every year, around 800 people involved in lung cancer and mesothelioma care in the UK and Ireland meet in Dublin. The two-day conference allows scientists, researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates to share new research, reflect on treatment progress, and debate the big issues.
As a Director for the charity, this is my annual immersion in all things new in lung cancer and a valued educational event.
Bridging Research and Patient Experience
For many people affected by lung cancer, the clinical and research worlds may feel as distant as Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Part of my team’s role is to translate that world into practical information about treatment options, ways to care for yourself, and what to expect from lung cancer services now and in the near future.
Advocacy and Patient Voice
The fringe Advocacy meeting opened with BTOG Chair, Dr Sanjay Popat, and saw a strong exchange of views from attendees. Mat Callister, a respiratory physician, provided an excellent layperson’s briefing on X-ray imaging. BTOG wants to strengthen the patient voice in its work. Anyone interested in attending in 2018 should mark 24th January in their diary.
UK Lung Cancer Audit Findings
The meeting saw the launch of the latest updates on how we are doing on lung cancer in the UK. This audit looks at 43,343 people diagnosed in 2015. Interestingly, the report shows an increase in the average age of diagnosis. An increasing proportion of people are being diagnosed in their 70s and 80s, perhaps reflecting our ageing population and the influence of changing relationship with tobacco over the last 60 years.
Positive trends include a 7% improvement in one-year survival over the last five years. Sixty percent of people now receive some form of anti-cancer treatment, up by 2%.
Managing Side Effects and Supporting Patients
The conference highlighted important issues around side effects and quality of life. A seminar on bone health stressed that many lung cancer patients develop secondary (metastatic) cancer in their bones. We need to monitor bone health closely.
Speakers also discussed the benefits of exercise and the current trend of “prehabilitation,” encouraging patients to improve their health before and during treatment.
Tobacco Control and Public Health
An inspirational talk was given by Mike Daube, Professor of Health Policy from Perth, Western Australia. He highlighted the impact of tobacco control, pioneering work on plain packaging, and commitment to getting the smoking rate to 5% or less by 2025.
Early detection and screening was understandably a big theme. Updates were provided on progress on the European Nelson Trial, which is hoped will provide the evidence of lives saved that would influence any plan for a UK screening programme.
The conference also discussed innovative practices, including lung biopsy without hospital admission, tumour genotyping, and the impact of new immunotherapies.
Research and Clinical Trials
Current research trials in the UK were a key focus. Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation funds early diagnosis and patient experience research. The NCRI provides a valuable source of information on current trials. We often find patients and carers are keen to know what trials are open in lung cancer and there is a need to increase the proportion of people participating in trials.
Small Cell Lung Cancer
The final session focused on small cell lung cancer, including studies on twice-daily radiotherapy. It emphasized the slow progress in improving early diagnosis and outcomes. The audit shows the proportion of people diagnosed with small cell lung cancer is declining, but research continues to identify more effective treatments.
Looking Ahead
Lung cancer can feel like “the Cinderella cancer,” as our founder Professor Ray Donnelly described it. After spending a few days at the BTOG Conference, I would say the atmosphere amongst health care professionals, researchers, and support organisations is one of determination – determination to make improvements in treatment and care and an openness to work together with all those with who care and are affected by this disease. It feels like our time for transformation is close.