Background
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia.[1] Survival rates are poor for both men and women[2] and there are differences in survival by sociodemographic characteristics and Indigenous status.3
In 2013 Cancer Australia developed the ‘Principles for best practice management of lung cancer in Australia’. The Principles provide an evidence-based approach to best practice lung cancer care in the Australian context.
Aim
The Lung cancer best practice demonstration project aims to demonstrate the implementation of best practice approaches to lung cancer treatment and care in line with the Principles across a range of service delivery settings.
Method
Cancer Australia has engaged four health service collaborations to incrementally implement the Principles over two years (2014-16). The collaborations will demonstrate and identify key success factors which support implementation of the Principles.
Results
Stage 1 of the project has been completed (2014-15) and has identified key factors contributing to the ongoing delivery of best-practice lung cancer care in relation to three of the five Principles. Stage 2 (2015-16) will focus on the remaining two Principles.
Conclusion
A framework for the management of lung cancer that defines best practice and includes key elements of success will support national application of the Principles for best practice management of lung cancer in Australia and improved outcomes for Australians diagnosed with lung cancer.
[1] Australian Cancer Incidence and Mortality (ACIM) Books - Lung cancer for Australia (ICD10 C33-C34). http://www.aihw.gov.au/acim-books/ [Accessed March 2014].
[2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012. Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia: period estimates from 1982 to 2010. Cancer Series no. 69. Cat. No. CAN 65. Canberra AIHW.
3 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Cancer Australia & Australasian Association of Cancer Registries 2008. Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia: cancers diagnosed from 1982 to 2004. Cancer series no. 42. Cat. No. CAN 38. Canberra AIHW.