Cancer Australia has launched a Framework to improve the outcomes and experiences of people affected by lung cancer – the leading cause of cancer death in Australia.

The utility of the Framework as a national resource is the inclusion of strategies, tools and resources to support health professionals, service providers and policy makers.

The Framework is the result of a four-year collaborative process involving cancer specialists and other health professionals, health service providers and consumers across Australia.

The five key Principles for improving lung cancer outcomes have been well established: patient-centered care; timely access to evidence-based pathways of care; multidisciplinary care; co-ordination, communication and continuity of care; and data-driven improvements.

The challenge remains to develop ways of applying these Principles in the clinical setting, whether in hospitals or GP practices in major cities, regional centres or smaller towns, to improve outcomes for people with lung cancer.