Luce Study Identifies Key Communication Barriers Between Lung Cancer Patients And Caregivers

A large-scale study conducted by Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE) has identified captious connection barriers that impact accusation access, understanding, and shared decision-making among lung crab patients and caregivers crossed Europe.

The investigation was reported astatine nan International Association for nan Study of Lung Cancer 2025 World Conference connected Lung Cancer (WCLC).

The study, based connected 2,040 valid study responses from 34 WHO European Region countries successful 20 languages, evaluated 3 cardinal areas: wide knowledge astir lung cancer, entree to information, and engagement successful decision-making. The findings underscore nan request for healthcare systems to amended connection practices and diligent engagement to guarantee much person-centered care.

Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE) is simply a nonprofit, patient-led statement that serves arsenic nan umbrella group for lung crab defense organizations crossed Europe.

Patients request accusation that is understandable, timely, and supports meaningful information successful their care. Despite champion intentions, existent systems often autumn short of empowering patients and caregivers to make informed decisions."

Debra Montague of LuCE, nan presenting author

Montague reported that 65% of participants delayed seeking attraction owed to unrecognized symptoms and 22% were unaware of biomarkers, while 24% did not understand their prognosis.

She added that 40% said they did not person capable accusation and 29% did not afloat understand what they received.

"Patients told america that communal barriers included accusation processing (39%), deficiency of clarity (33%), and complexity (33%)," she said. "Surprisingly, only 56% felt their sentiment was considered successful curen decisions while 60% felt nan attraction scheme matched diligent preferences."

Montague reported that nan apical obstacle to shared decision-making was analyzable aesculapian connection (49%).

The mostly of respondents (64%) weighted some value and magnitude of life equally, though astir one-third prioritized value complete amount of life, underscoring nan request for personalized attraction discussions.

Montague said she encourages healthcare providers, policymakers, and defense groups to collaborate to amended early diagnosis, heighten communication, and prioritize shared decision-making.

"Health providers must alteration and instrumentality shared decision-making to thief heighten value of life. Improved connection strategies are captious to present person-centered care," Montague said.