Unmet non-medical needs of cancer patients in Poland: a quantitative and qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Cancer itself and its treatment have a multifaceted impact on patients' daily lives. The aim of the study was to determine unmet non-medical needs among Polish cancer patients. METHODS: Survey research using a 23-item Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ) was carried out among 1062 cancer patients from different regions of Poland. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. RESULTS: The quantitative analysis showed that 48% of the NEQ items (11/23) were expressed as unmet needs by at least half of patients. Unmet information needs were indicated by patients most often: information about their diagnosis, exams, treatment, future condition, funding and economic support. Cancer patients would like to get more attention from medical staff. Unmet needs were most frequently expressed by respondents who were men, with a lower level of education, living in village, pensioners. Qualitative analysis showed that each need may be understood in a variety of different ways across the cohort. Some patients added comments that the completing NEQ helped them to notice their non-medical needs. CONCLUSION: Polish cancer patients have some unmet non-medical needs, especially informative needs.

Survival differences between the USA and an urban population from China for all cancer types and 20 individual cancers: a population-based study.

Background: The systematic comparison of cancer survival between China and the USA is rare. Here we aimed to assess the magnitude of survival disparities and disentangle the impact of the stage at diagnosis between a Chinese metropolitan city and the USA on cancer survival. Methods: We included 11,046 newly diagnosed cancer patients in Dalian Cancer Registry, China, 2015, with the follow-up data for vital status until December 2020. We estimated age-standardised 5-year relative survival and quantified the excess hazard ratio (EHR) of death using generalised linear models for all cancers and 20 individual cancers. We compared these estimates with 17 cancer registries' data from the USA, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. We further estimated the stage-specific survival for five major cancers by region. Findings: Age-standardised 5-year relative survival for all patients in Dalian was lower than that in the USA (49.9% vs 67.9%). By cancer types, twelve cancers with poorer prognosis were observed in Dalian compared to the USA, with the largest gap seen in prostate cancer (Dalian: 55.8% vs USA: 96.0%). However, Dalian had a better survival for lung cancer, cervical cancer, and bladder cancer. Dalian patients had a lower percentage of stage Ⅰ colorectal cancer (Dalian: 17.9% vs USA: 24.2%) and female breast cancer (Dalian: 40.9% vs USA: 48.9%). However, we observed better stage-specific survival among stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ lung cancer patients in Dalian than in the USA. Interpretation: This study suggests that although the overall prognosis for patients was better in the USA than in Dalian, China, survival deficits existed in both countries. Improvement in cancer early detection and cancer care are needed in both countries. Funding: National Key R&D Program (2021YFC2501900, 2022YFC3600805), Major State Basic Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021-I2M-1-010, 2021-I2M-1-046), and Talent Incentive Program of Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Racial/ethnic disparities in the cause of death among patients with prostate cancer in the United States from 1995 to 2019: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: Racial/ethnic disparities in prostate cancer are reported in the United States (US). However, long-term trends and contributors of racial/ethnic disparities in all-cause and cause-specific death among patients with prostate cancer remain unclear. We analysed the trends and contributors of racial/ethnic disparities in prostate cancer survivors according to the cause of death in the US over 25 years. Methods: In this retrospective, population-based longitudinal cohort study, we identified patients diagnosed with first primary prostate cancer between 1995 and 2019, with follow-up until Dec 31, 2019, using population-based cancer registries' data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. We calculated the cumulative incidence of death for each racial/ethnic group (Black, white, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander [API], and American Indian or Alaska Native [AI/AN] people), by diagnostic period and cause of death. We quantified absolute disparities using rate changes for the 5-year cumulative incidence of death between racial/ethnic groups and diagnostic periods. We estimated relative (Hazard ratios [HR]) racial/ethnic disparities and the percentage of potential factors contributed to racial/ethnic disparities using Cox regression models. Findings: Despite a decreasing trend in the cumulative risk of death across five racial/ethnic groups, AI/AN and Black patients consistently had the highest rate of death between 1995 and 2019 with an adjusted HR of 1.48 (1.40-1.58) and 1.40 (1.38-1.42) respectively. The disparities in all-cause mortality between AI/AN and white patients increased over time, with adjusted HR 1.32 (1.17-1.49) in 1995-1999 and 1.95 (1.53-2.49) in 2015-2019. Adjustment of stage at diagnosis, initial treatment, tumor grade, and household income explained 33% and 24% of the AI/AN-white and Black-white disparities in all-cause death among patients with prostate cancer. Interpretation: The enduring racial/ethnic disparities in patients with prostate cancer, call for new interventions to eliminate health disparities. Our study provides important evidence and ways to address racial/ethnic inequality. Funding: National Key R&D Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals Clinical Medicine Development of Special Funding Support, the Open Research Fund from Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Key Projects of Philosophy and Social Sciences Research, Ministry of Education of China.

Is It Possible to Notice the Unmet Non-Medical Needs among Cancer Patients? Application of the Needs Evaluation Questionnaire in Men with Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. Lung cancer causes not only physical symptoms related to the disease itself and its treatment but also numerous mental, social and spiritual problems. The aim of the study was to assess non-medical needs among male lung cancer patients during oncological treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of 160 men (mean age 67 years) treated for lung cancer from June 2022 until November 2022 in 5 oncological centers in Poland. The Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ) was used. The NEQ explores five areas of patients' needs: informative, connected with assistance/care, relational, material and psycho-emotional support. RESULTS: All participants (except one) expressed some unmet non-medical needs (mean and median 11). Male lung cancer patients indicated informative needs most frequently. There were no significant differences between expressed unmet needs based on age, place of residence, professional activity or marital status. CONCLUSIONS: The NEQ seems to be a proper instrument to explore the non-medical needs of cancer patients. Adequate measures to address the unmet needs of lung cancer patients could contribute to an improved quality of life.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Number of Cancer Patients and Radiotherapy Procedures in the Warmia and Masuria Voivodeship.

(1) Background: It was suspected that the COVID-19 pandemic would negatively affect health care, including cancer treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of radiotherapy procedures and patients treated with radical and palliative radiotherapy in Poland. (2) Methods: The study was carried out in Warmia and Masuria voivodeship. The number of procedures and treated patients one year before and in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared. (3) Results: In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of radiotherapy procedures and cancer patients treated with radiotherapy in Warmia and Masuria voivodeship in Poland was stable compared to the period before the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected the ratio of palliative to radical procedures. The percentage of ambulatory and hostel procedures significantly increased with the reduction of inpatient care in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. (4) Conclusion: No significant decrease in patients treated with radiotherapy during the first year of the pandemic in Warmia and Masuria voivodeship in Poland could indicate the rapid adaptation of radiotherapy centers to the pandemic situation. Future studies should be carried out to monitor the situation because the adverse effects of the pandemic may be delayed.

Preservation of the Hypoxic Transcriptome in Glioblastoma Patient-Derived Cell Lines Maintained at Lowered Oxygen Tension.

Despite numerous efforts aiming to characterise glioblastoma pathology (GBM) and discover new therapeutic strategies, GBM remains one of the most challenging tumours to treat. Here we propose the optimisation of in vitro culturing of GBM patient-derived cells, namely the establishment of GBM-derived cultures and their maintenance at oxygen tension mimicking oxygenation conditions occurring within the tumour. To globally analyse cell states, we performed the transcriptome analysis of GBM patient-derived cells kept as spheroids in serum-free conditions at the reduced oxygen tension (5% O2), cells cultured at atmospheric oxygen (20% O2), and parental tumour. Immune cells present in the tumour were depleted, resulting in the decreased expression of the immune system and inflammation-related genes. The expression of genes promoting cell proliferation and DNA repair was higher in GBM cell cultures when compared to the relevant tumour sample. However, lowering oxygen tension to 5% did not affect the proliferation rate and expression of cell cycle and DNA repair genes in GBM cell cultures. Culturing GBM cells at 5% oxygen was sufficient to increase the expression of specific stemness markers, particularly the PROM1 gene, without affecting neural cell differentiation markers. GBM spheroids cultured at 5% oxygen expressed higher levels of hypoxia-inducible genes, including those encoding glycolytic enzymes and pro-angiogenic factors. The genes up-regulated in cells cultured at 5% oxygen had higher expression in parental GBMs compared to that observed in 20% cell cultures, suggesting the preservation of the hypoxic component of GBM transcriptome at 5% oxygen and its loss in standard culture conditions. Evaluation of expression of those genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset comprising samples of normal brain tissue, lower-grade gliomas and GBMs indicated the expression pattern of the indicated genes was specific for GBM. Moreover, GBM cells cultured at 5% oxygen were more resistant to temozolomide, the chemotherapeutic used in GBM therapy. The presented comparison of GBM cultures maintained at high and low oxygen tension together with analysis of tumour transcriptome indicates that lowering oxygen tension during cell culture may more allegedly reproduce tumour cell behaviour within GBM than standard culture conditions (e.g., atmospheric oxygen tension). Low oxygen culture conditions should be considered as a more appropriate model for further studies on glioblastoma pathology and therapy.

Improvements in Quality Control and Library Preparation for Targeted Sequencing Allowed Detection of Potentially Pathogenic Alterations in Circulating Cell-Free DNA Derived from Plasma of Brain Tumor Patients.

Malignant gliomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors in adults. They are genetically heterogenous and invariably recur due to incomplete surgery and therapy resistance. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a component of circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) and represents genetic material that originates from the primary tumor or metastasis. Brain tumors are frequently located in the eloquent brain regions, which makes biopsy difficult or impossible due to severe postoperative complications. The analysis of ccfDNA from a patient's blood presents a plausible and noninvasive alternative. In this study, freshly frozen tumors and corresponding blood samples were collected from 84 brain tumor patients and analyzed by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). The cohort included 80 glioma patients, 2 metastatic cancer patients, and 2 primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) patients. We compared the pattern of genetic alterations in the tumor DNA (tDNA) with that of ccfDNA. The implemented technical improvements in quality control and library preparation allowed for the detection of ctDNA in 8 out of 84 patients, including 5 out of 80 glioma patients. In 32 out of 84 patients, we found potentially pathogenic genetic alterations in ccfDNA that were not detectable in tDNA. While sequencing ccfDNA from plasma has a low efficacy as a diagnostic tool for glioma patients, we concluded that further improvements in sample processing and library preparation can make liquid biopsy a valuable diagnostic tool for glioma patients.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Hospitalized Cancer Patients-Study from Silesia, Poland.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common amongst cancer patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of CAM, beliefs about CAM and the purpose of using it amongst Polish cancer patients. METHODS: The study included 864 cancer patients (median 63 years old), who were individually interviewed. The questionnaire was designed specifically for this study. RESULTS: Amongst 732 patients who declared that they heard about CAM, 342 patients (46.7%) had used CAM; 91% of these patients had used it as a complementary therapy and 9% had used it as an alternative therapy. Patients younger in age, highly educated, professionally active, with longer medical history, and at more advanced cancer stages have, statistically, used CAM more often; 66% of participants could not state what the health effect of CAM is. Patients received information about CAM from the internet, friends, family and other patients. Only 18% of patients discussed using CAM with a doctor. CONCLUSIONS: CAM was popular amongst Polish cancer patients, especially in younger, educated and professionally active patients with longer cancer history at advanced stage. Patients used CAM as a complementary therapy for strengthening immune system, improving morphological and biochemical test parameters, reducing the side effects of conventional therapy and improving their well-being.

Students' Knowledge about Cervical Cancer Prevention in Poland.

Background and Objectives: In Poland, the rates of morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer are amongst the highest in Europe. A significant percentage of newly diagnosed cases of cervical cancer are at an advanced stage. Unfortunately, only about 20% of Polish women take part in cervical cancer screening. The aim of the study was to assess students' knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and prevention. Materials and Methods: The study was provided to Polish students from various universities and faculties between May 2020 and November 2020. The questionnaire was designed specifically for this study and was validated. The chi-square test was used to compare the responses between subgroups. Results: The study was carried out on a group of 995 students (80.6% women, 19% men, 0.4% no data), (average age 21.9 years). Most students knew that the main risk factor for cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (82% of all responders; 86% of medical students; 73% of non-medical students; p < 0.001). Only 40% of students knew that in Poland the Population Prevention and Early Diagnosis Program is carried out on women aged 25-59 years every three years. Most students correctly indicated that cervical cancer screening in Poland is performed using cervical cytology and were familiar with the basis of cytology. Only 57% of students knew that there are no specific early symptoms of cervical cancer. A total of 78% of all respondents knew that HPV vaccination reduces the risk of cervical cancer. Medical students and students who are sexually active demonstrated a better knowledge of cervical cancer. Conclusions: The Polish students had some knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and primary and secondary prevention. Significantly better knowledge was demonstrated by medical students. Some efforts should be made to ensure that young people, who are not associated with medicine are better educated about cervical cancer in order to reduce the overall incidence and improve early detection rates.

Treatment patterns and real-world evidence for stage III non-small cell lung cancer in Central and Eastern Europe.

Background The aim of this project was to collect real-world evidence and describe treatment patterns for stage III non-small cell lung cancer in Central and Eastern Europe. Based on real-world evidence, an expert opinion was developed, and the unmet needs and quality indicators were identified. Patients and methods A systematic literature search and a multidisciplinary expert panel of 10 physicians from 7 countries used a modified Delphi process to identify quality indicators and unmet needs in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer. The profound questionnaire was used to characterize treatment patterns used for stage III non-small cell lung cancer, and a systematic review identified patterns in Central and Eastern Europe. The first questionnaire was completed by a group of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and pneumologists. The panel of experts attended an in-person meeting to review the results of the questionnaire and to process a second round Delphi. An additional survey was then compiled and completed by the panel. Results A complete consensus was reached by the panel of experts on a set of evidence-based clinical recommendations. The experience-based questionnaire generated a highly variable map of treatment patterns within the region. A list of unmet needs and barriers to quality care were developed with near-unanimous consent of the panel of experts. Conclusions The current landscape of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in Central and Eastern European countries is highly variable. We identified several significant barriers, mainly related to the availability of diagnostic and imaging methods and low rates of chemoradiotherapy with curative intention as initial treatment for unresectable stage III NSCLC.

Patients' Non-Medical and Organizational Needs during Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine non-medical and organizational needs among cancer patients during diagnosis and treatment. The study included 384 cancer patients treated in five oncological centers in Poland. A questionnaire designed for the study was used. Most of the patients received psychological support from their partner/family/friends (88%), to a lesser extent from a psychologist (21%) and priests (4%). Forty-three percent of patients received social support from their partner/family/friends and only 7% of respondents received support from a social worker. Most patients stated they would like to have a professional who would help them with their non-medical problems during the diagnostic process and cancer treatment. The youth, with a higher education level who were professionally active and living in cities seemed to be more aware of their needs. Improvements to the oncological system in Poland should focus on expanding patient access to professional support of non-medical needs.

Study protocol: watchful observation of patients with limited small cell lung cancer instead of the PCI-prospective, multi-center one-arm study.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is a current standard of care after confirmed response to radical chemoradiotherapy for limited disease small cell lung cancer (LD-SCLC). This standard is mostly based on results of old randomized studies when brain imaging with magnetic resonance (MRI) was not available. Survival benefit of PCI in extended disease SCLC was recently challenged by the results of randomized phase III study from Japan. METHODS: Eighty patients with LD-SCLC after response to chest chemoradiotherapy will be enrolled. Patients will be followed up by brain MRI every 3 to 6 months up to 3 years. Neurocognitive function tests will be performed at baseline and after 12 and 24 months. Patients who develop brain metastases will be irradiated with stereotactic (SRT) or whole brain RT (WBRT). The primary endpoint is overall survival. The secondary endpoints are: response rate to radiotherapy of early detected brain metastases, analysis of efficacy of SRT and WBRT; assessment and analysis of neurocognitive functions and QoL in the studied cohorts: QLQ-C30 questionnaire and the California Verbal Learning Test, Color connection test, Benton visual retention test, and verbal fluency test will be carried out. DISCUSSION: The results of this trial may contribute to changing of LD-SCLC clinical management by deescalating the treatment. There is a lack of prospective, recent studies in LD-SCLC patients with omission of PCI and modern radiation therapy technologies for developed brain metastases. The comprehensive neurocognitive function testing will help to assess the impact of modern radiotherapy (SRT) compared with WBRT and no-PCI in SCLC patients. A subgroup of long-term survivors, who will not develop brain metastases, will not be exposed to unnecessary brain irradiation with its deleterious consequences. The limitation of our study is a lack of parallel randomized control arm. This is a potential source of bias; however, randomized study will be difficult to complete for two major reasons: (1) limited population of LD-SCLC eligible for the study and (2) opinions of our patients, who after information and discussion about benefits and potential harms of PCI, often choose to omit PCI in our practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04168281, 19 Nov. 2019.

SHARP hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: a biochemical response to treatment.

PURPOSE: The standard treatment for patients with early-stage prostate cancer are operation and radiotherapy. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is one of the new radiotherapy methods. The aim of the study was to analyze tumor control of prostate cancer patients treated with SBRT. METHODS: A prospective single-institution clinical study was conducted among previously untreated patients with histologically confirmed localized prostate cancer. Patients were treated with SBRT: 33.5 Gy in 5 fractions. RESULTS: A total of 68 men with clinical stage of prostate cancer T1c-T2cN0M0 were included in the study. The median combined Gleason score was 6, the median PSA level was 10ng/mL. The median follow-up period was 48 months. Five years after the end of radiotherapy, the median PSA levels were as follows: 0.29ng/mL for all patients, 0.39ng/mL for those who did not receive androgen deprivation therapy, 0.25ng/mL for patients who underwent 6 months and 0.31ng/mL for patients who underwent 2-3 years of hormone therapy. Median nadir PSA levels were 0.025ng/mL for all patients and 0.48ng/mL for patients without hormone therapy. Low PSA nadir (<0.5ng/ml) was noted in 50% of patients without hormone therapy and in 70% of all other patients. Only in 4 patients (out of those who did not receive hormone therapy) PSA failure was observed (nadir plus 2ng/mL). No cases of PSA failure were noted among patients who underwent 6 months or 2-3 years of androgen deprivation therapy. CONCLUSION: A good biochemical control was observed in prostate cancer patients treated with SBRT at 5 years follow-up.

Primarily resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma - to operate or to refer the patient to an oncologist?

The aim of this work is to investigate the optimal therapeutic sequence of resectable pancreatic cancer - primary surgery with adjuvant therapy or neoadjuvant followed by resection. Application of the neoadjuvant approach in routine treatment of pancreatic cancer is rapidly growing every year, despite the lack of final results from randomized trials. Recent advancements in the adjuvant therapy, due to the more effective chemotherapy regimens, favor the upfront surgery strategy. On the other hand, theoretical background and metaanalyses favor the neoadjuvant strategy. Currently, primary resection with adjuvant chemotherapy remains the standard approach in resectable pancreatic cancer, but the first recommendations considering the neoadjuvant approach as an option seem to arise among the scientific societies with a global impact. Preliminary results of Prodige 24 study and PREOPANC-1 trial demonstrates that both options are worth further evaluation in clinical trials. Their results should soon provide more answers to this important clinical questions.

The Waiting Time of Prostate Cancer Patients in Poland.

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common reason of mortality due to cancer among men in Poland. The study aimed to determine the waiting time for diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Methods: The study was carried out on patients treated for prostate cancer from May 2014 to February 2015 at five oncological centres in Poland. The median waiting time was measured from the time cancer was suspected to the histopathological diagnosis (SDI), from the cancer suspicion to the start of treatment (STI) and from the diagnosis to the start of treatment (DTI). Results: 123 males treated for prostate cancer were included for analysis. The median time for SDI, STI and DTI was 7.7, 18.7 and 8.7 weeks, respectively. Place of residence was the only factor which influenced STI (p = 0.003). For patients, who started treatment with radiation therapy DTI was longer than for other patients (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Median times of STI, SDI and DTI for prostate cancer patients in Poland are similar to the intervals described in other countries. Patients, who lived further from an oncology centre waited longer for treatment. The impact of waiting time in the case of prostate cancer on improving the prognosis is still unclear.

Molecular profiling of tumours for precision oncology - high hopes versus reality.

Treatment based on molecular profiling of tumor is advertised however there are very limited clinical data supporting this approach so far. Only one, relatively small, randomized clinical trial (SHIVA) have not met its primary endpoint - prolongation of PFS. Some other unpublished series were reported during ASCO 2017 and are discussed in this review. There are many issues to be resolved before the tumor profiling will enter the clinical practice with significant benefit for patients, eg. spatial and temporal heterogeneity of tumor cells in individual patient, wide access to targeted therapies, toxicity of combined targeted therapies.

How Long Are Cancer Patients Waiting for Oncological Therapy in Poland?

BACKGROUND: The five-year relative survival rate in Poland is approximately 10% lower compared with the average for Europe. One of the factors that may contribute to the inferior treatment results in Poland could be the long time between cancer suspicion and the beginning of treatment. The aim of the study was to determine the real waiting time for cancer diagnosis and treatment in Poland. METHODS: The study was carried out in six cancer centers on a group of 1373 patients, using a questionnaire to interview patients. The median waiting time was estimated as follows: (A) from suspicion (the date of the first visit, with symptoms, to a doctor or a preventive or screening test) until histopathological diagnosis; (B) from suspicion until initial treatment; and (C) from diagnosis until initial treatment. RESULTS: The median times from suspicion to treatment, from suspicion to diagnosis, and from diagnosis to treatment, were 10.6, 5.6, and 5.0 weeks, respectively. Using multivariate analysis, the strongest influence was estimated, in a case of tumor localization, to be the method of initial treatment and facilities. CONCLUSION: The waiting time for cancer treatment in Poland is too long. The highest influence on waiting time was determined, in the case of tumors, as the type of cancer and factors related to the health care system.

Consensus statement on a screening programme for the detection of early lung cancer in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Poland and worldwide, and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Compared to the present day, the annual number of new cases of lung cancer will have increased by approximately 50%, by 2030. The overall ratio of mortality to incidence totals 0.87 and is among the highest. The five-year survival rate in Poland has recently achieved 13.4%. In 2015, lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) was introduced to routine clinical practice in the United States following the publication of the largest randomised study, The National Lung Screening Trial. The implementation of screening programmes in Poland and the rest of Europe also seems unavoidable. Due to the differences, both in the socioeconomic considerations and healthcare funding, compared to that in the United States, the current approach comes down to the awaited results of the European randomised study, NELSON. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the meeting of an expert panel at the "Torakoneptunalia 2016" conference in Jastarnia, Poland, a decision was made to summarise and publish the current data on LDCT lung cancer screening in the form of recommendations, or a position statement. The document was prepared by a team composed of a radiologist, thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, clinical oncologists, epidemiologists, internists, health prevention specialists and pathologists. It reflects the current body of knowledge about lung cancer, its diagnosis and treatment, and provides recommendations on early detection of lung cancer using LDCT. The recommendations address the screening procedure, the requirements for the teams conducting the screening, and the requirements for radiologists, pathologists and surgeons involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. RESULTS: While awaiting the results of the NELSON study and the European position statement on lung cancer screening methodology, the multidisciplinary group of experts presents their position, laying grounds for the development of an action plan for early detection of lung cancer in the upcoming future in Poland. CONCLUSIONS: Primary and secondary prophylaxis are the principal ways to reduce lung cancer mortality. While smoking cessation is a task of utmost importance, it must be accompanied by an effective screening programme if the outcome of the disease is to be improved.