Timely and relevant thoracic oncology news brought to you by the only global association dedicated to the multidisciplinary study of lung cancer.

Timely and relevant thoracic oncology news brought to you by the only global association dedicated to the multidisciplinary study of lung cancer.

2024 IASLC CT Screening Symposium

Read an interview with Witold Rzyman, MD, PhD, who will speak about the current status of lung cancer screening implementation.

By

Erin Jungmeyer

Estimated Read Time:

2 minutes

Meeting News, WCLC News

Presenter Profile: Witold Rzyman, MD, PhD, FECTS

Professor, Medical University of Gdańsk; Chief Surgeon, Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Clinical Center; Coordinator of Thoracic Cancer Unit, University Clinical Center; Chief Surgeon, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Regional Pulmonary Hospital

Gdańsk, Poland

ILCN: What is your presentation about?

Dr. Rzyman: The current status of lung cancer screening implementation in Central Europe and the Nordic Countries is based on direct information from key persons involved in the process in each country. Central/Eastern Europe with its 157 million inhabitants and Nordic Countries with their 15 million inhabitants are significant European regions with high rates of smoking addiction, with potentially several million people at risk of developing lung cancer.

ILCN: Why is this topic timely or important in 2024?

Dr. Rzyman: In December 2023, the EU Commission recognized lung cancer screening as a screening method and added it to the EU Beating Cancer Plan and recommended its implementation in Europe. However, the status of population-based screening differs across European countries. So far, only Croatia has implemented a nationwide lung cancer screening program. In 2025, UK and Poland begin their programs. However, most countries still lack a precise implementation plan in 2024.

ILCN: How did you become involved with this area of lung cancer research, care, or advocacy?

Dr. Rzyman: I started our first lung cancer screening program in 2009, and since than our broad interdisciplinary team has already completed five projects regarding implementation feasibility, molecular signature of early lung cancer, radiomics assessment of pulmonary nodules, and comorbidities in at risk populations.

ILCN: What are you most looking forward to during the 50th Anniversary World Conference on Lung Cancer?

Dr. Rzyman: Seeing the latest on lung cancer screening, neo- and periadjuvant treatment of locally advanced lung cancer, equal access to oncological treatment, and AI implementation in thoracic oncology.


About the Authors

Erin Jungmeyer

Erin Jungmeyer

Managing Editor, ILCN