Page 4 - Inspire

2020 started full of hope. Lung cancer was now
receiving more research funding than ever before.
New treatments for all stages of the disease were
being made available. And we were one step closer to
a national lung cancer screening programme with the
implementation of targeted lung health checks across
England.

The years and years of hard work were coming to
fruition. Survival rates were increasing, with 10-year
survival doubling, and while they remained behind
those of other cancers, they were definitely heading
in the right direction.

Then life as we knew it stopped and we all entered
unknown territory. But amid all the confusion, one
thing remained clear – people with lung cancer
needed us more than ever before.

Not long after entering the first lockdown, our
th
charity marked its 30 anniversary. It prompted us to
reflect on where it all began and to draw
comparisons to the current situation.

Support has always been at the heart of this charity.
We appointed the first lung cancer support nurse.
Before that, patients would be told, ‘You have lung
cancer’ and have no one to talk to. Now, patients and
their families have someone to go to with any
questions.

But with many lung cancer nurses needed on the
Covid front line, patients did not have the same level
of support at a time when they were at their most
confused, anxious, and isolated. Fortunately, as Lee
highlighted, we were there to bridge the gap, despite
no longer being able to offer services like support
groups and information days.

Instead, we had to quickly adapt, ensuring those with
lung cancer were supported practically, financially
and emotionally through the weeks and months that
followed. We focused on providing information and
advice through the helpline and also overcoming
another consequence of the pandemic – loneliness –
through our new Keep in Touch support service.