The Global Lung Cancer Coalition is the international voice of lung cancer patients.
Established in 2001, the GLCC comprises 28 non-government patient organisations from Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and US.
The GLCC is committed to improving disease outcomes for all lung cancer patients and aims to address the following issues:
- place lung cancer on the global healthcare agenda
- change public perceptions and lessen the stigma of lung cancer
- empower lung cancer patients to take an active role in their care
- effect change in legislative or regulatory policies to optimise treatment and care
Global Lung Cancer Coalition Patient Charter
The Global Lung Cancer Coalition Patient Charter is an affirmation by all the member organizations of the basic rights that all lung cancer patients should be granted.
Recognizing that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women workdwide; this year it will kill more people than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined. Only four in 10 lung cancer sufferers today can expect to survive for more than one year, the worse rate among all the major types of cancer;
Aware of the fact that funding for lung cancer research falls far short of that for other less fatal diseases. Lack of investment in research has left lung cancer patients with few treatment options, and, even now, many patients do not receive the best treatment available;
Acknowledging that most lung cancers are discovered when the disease is far advanced and there is currently no approved screening for lung cancer which would detect smaller and more curable tumours;
Troubled by lung cancer patients’ isolation, the uphill struggle they face in fighting for their rights and their frequent unwillingness to seek treatment promptly because of the stigma associated with a tobacco-related disease, and recognizing how negative attitudes about lung cancer held by professional carers, policy-makers and the general public compound this situation,
We the Global Lung Cancer Coalition hereby adopt this charter and call upon its observance by all concerned on behalf of the more than 1.3 million people living with lung cancer around the world and the countless millions more at tisk for the disease.
The Rights of People with Lung Cancer
In addition to the right of every patient to be treated with dignity and respect, the Global Lung Cancer Coalition reaffirms the right of all lung cancer patients to have access to quality health care, informed self-determination, physical and mental integrigy and confidentiality and privacy.
- Along with these fundamental rights, lung cancer patients have the right to:
- Have the enormous burden of lung cancer acknowledged by professional carers, policy makers and the general public.
- Have access to optimal treatment as suggested by a multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals, which should possess specialist knowledge about lung cancer.
- Have their voice heard in corridors of power as evidenced by the allocation of an equitable portion of available funds to lung cancer research and treatment.
- Witness the widespread implementation of well structured, evidence-based programs of early diagnosis and timely medical referral.
- Be free of blame and stigma for having the disease and to have their disease destigmatized.
- Help to give up smoking, if a smoker, and not to be denied treatment or support if they are unable to overcome their addiction.
For more information, contact the Global Lung Cancer Coalition.