The Canadian Cancer Society has launched the country’s first Pan-Canadian Lung Cancer Action Plan, aiming to reduce lung cancer deaths by 30% between 2026 and 2035.
The initiative responds to the continued toll of the disease, which remains Canada’s leading cause of cancer-related deaths, claiming nearly 21,000 lives in 2024.
Developed in partnership with clinicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, Indigenous Elders, and health organizations, the plan was finalized at a national summit earlier this year.
It sets out four main priorities:
- Reduce exposure to carcinogenic inhalants – Strengthen tobacco control policies, raise awareness of risk factors and improve air quality standards to reduce exposure to harmful inhalants.
- Detect lung cancer earlier – Expand screening eligibility, improve access to diagnostics (including low-dose CT scans) and increase public awareness of screening programs to catch lung cancer in its earliest stages when it can be easier to treat.
- Improve access to timely, best-in-class care – Ensure equitable access to innovative treatments, enhance patient-centred care and navigation, and monitor health system performance to drive continuous improvement.
- Accelerate lung cancer research – Increase funding and establish national research priorities to advance understanding, detection and treatment of lung cancer.
In 2024, approximately 32,100 Canadians were diagnosed with lung cancer, representing 13% of all cancer cases. Despite advancements in treatment and screening, half of the diagnoses occur at Stage 4, when survival prospects are lowest. CCS Vice President of Cancer Strategy and Innovation, Annemarie Edwards, said the plan focuses on “hope, equity and action,” emphasizing evidence-based measures to save lives.
The Action Plan also tackles stigma surrounding lung cancer, often linked to smoking, and highlights systemic barriers affecting underserved groups, including Indigenous Peoples and low-income communities. A Health Canada report found that up to 30% of new cases occur in people who have never smoked, underscoring the need for broader awareness.
Dr. Christian Finley, thoracic surgeon and co-chair of the steering committee, described the initiative as a “turning point” for lung cancer care, calling for national collaboration to improve outcomes. The plan also notes that patients and caregivers shoulder 17% of total care costs, reinforcing the need for equitable funding and support systems across provinces.
2026-2035 Pan-Canadian Lung Cancer Action Plan