International Respiratory Societies Call for Equitable Access to Lung Cancer Screening
On World Lung Cancer Day, global respiratory community emphasizes that early detection can save lives, but only when screening is accessible
1 August 2026 – Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, claiming an estimated 1.8 million lives in 2022. Around 2.5 million people were diagnosed with the disease that year, according to the World Health Organization.[1] Yet despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, many people are still diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment options may be more limited. Earlier detection can significantly improve outcomes, making awareness of symptoms and access to timely diagnosis more important than ever.
To mark World Lung Cancer Day, (1 August 2026), the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), of which GOLD is a founding member, is raising awareness of the importance of detecting lung cancer earlier and expanding equitable access to screening worldwide.
Screening high risk populations can help identify lung cancer before symptoms develop, when the disease may be more responsive to treatment. Annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for eligible, high-risk individuals has been shown to detect lung cancer at earlier, more treatable stages and reduce mortality. Yet access to screening remains inconsistent across countries and even within healthcare systems, with many eligible individuals facing barriers such as limited availability, lack of awareness, financial obstacles, or geographic challenges. Expanding screening for high-risk populations has the potential to dramatically improve survival through earlier diagnosis.
FIRS and its members call on governments, health systems, policymakers, clinicians, and global health organizations to:
- Develop and strengthen evidence-based lung cancer screening programs for people at high risk.
- Integrate screening into accessible and sustainable health care systems.
- Increase public and clinician awareness of lung cancer risk and screening eligibility.
- Address financial, geographic, social, and structural barriers to screening and follow-up care.
- Ensure that abnormal screening results are connected to timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
- Invest in research that helps countries implement effective and equitable screening programs.
Resources:
1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer
- A complete list of recommended guidelines for lung cancer screening, “Screening for Lung Cancer: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report,” can be accessed through the journal CHEST®.
- To learn more about lung cancer screening, visit https://www.iarc.who.int/infographics/benefits-and-harms-of-lung-cancer-screening/.
- For tobacco cessation resources, visit https://www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control.