BREATHING IN A NEW ERA
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LUNG CANCER POLICIES ACROSS EUROPEcancer.^12 Historically, the spend to burden ratio has been found to be much lower for lung cancer than
for breast, colorectal or prostate cancers in Europe (Figure 3).^12 It is uncertain why this is the case. The
lack of expensive national screening programmes for lung cancer may explain part of this relatively low
spend; the stigma of lung cancer may, subconsciously, contribute too.
The research project and its goals
Our research is in two phases. This document covers the first phase of our research, in which we
analyse 11 countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania,
Spain, Sweden and the UK. Germany and Greece were originally part of this phase but, owing to
scheduling challenges, will now be included in phase two, along with 14 additional countries. Phase
two will be published in early 2020. Upon completion of phase two, we will have analysed 26 European
countries and Israel (Figure 4). Countries in phase one are all either upper-middle-income or high-
income economies.
In brief, we performed an initial literature review to identify key frameworks and programmes that
have been previously used to prioritise policy approaches for the prevention and control of lung cancer
in a range of countries. From this a draft set of indicators was developed and an editorial advisory
board was convened to review and advise on the development of the indicator framework. Out of this
process, we identified a set of 17 indicators to evaluate each country across five domains:
l Lung cancer is a strategic priority: focusing on control plans and guidelines
l Lung cancer is a public health issue: covering tobacco control and screening
l Lung cancer is a race against time: rapid diagnosis and fast-track referral
l Lung cancer is at a crossroads: on effective treatment and quality care
l Lung cancer is a focus for research: investing in registries and R&D
Source: Oce of Health Economics (OHE) Consulting and Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE), September 2016.
Figure 3: Spend to disease burden - top 4 cancers, Europe
(Ratio of spend to burden; € thousand per DALY lost)
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All cancer Lung cancer Breast cancer Colorectal cancer Prostate cancer