UICC to host the Secretariat of the Lung Cancer Collaboration

The Lung Cancer Collaboration brings together organisations in healthcare delivery, research, diagnostics, biopharma and patient advocacy behind the overall objective of improving the prevention, detection and treatment of lung cancer. It is the result of a partnership between the Lung Ambition Alliance and the World Economic Forum. Astra Zeneca will provide the initial funding for LCC for a period of one year.

"Without coordinated global action, lung cancer deaths are estimated to increase by a staggering 30% until 2030. LCC is taking critical strides to address this growing global crisis and, as Secretariat, UICC will help ensure that health services can focus on diagnosing and treating the disease earlier."
– Cary Adams, CEO, Union for International Cancer Control. 

In 2020, lung cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Evidence shows, however, that lung cancer can be survivable if detected and treated early. A shift in diagnosis from late-stage to early-stage lung cancer is an effective way to decrease cancer mortality. 

Prevention is also key and tobacco control will be an essential part of the efforts to reduce lung cancer deaths. It aims at reducing the use of tobacco and the serious health risks and mortality it causes through policies, laws and education. It has long been a priority of UICC’s advocacy efforts in collaboration with members and partners. The LCC has committed to support UICC’s tobacco control work, which complements LCC’s focus on secondary prevention, early detection and treatment of lung cancer.

The announcement that UICC would host the Secretariat of LCC was first made at the World Cancer Congress in October in Geneva. This will imply the recruitment of a full-time staff member to manage the Secretariat.