Lung cancer screening in the Middle East and Africa:

 The Lung Ambition Alliance Middle East and Africa (LAA MEA) Chapter has used the Network’s framework to develop recommendations across priority areas for lung cancer screening in the region.
 

Context

Lung cancer is a growing concern in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region with rates of incidence, prevalence and mortality rising; 90% of people diagnosed with the disease die as a result.¹ The lack of national screening programmes in many countries significantly hinders early detection and timely treatment, highlighting the urgent need to develop and strengthen such initiatives. Additionally, financial and infrastructural barriers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), along with significant disparities in service provision between the private and public healthcare sectors, complicate efforts to implement screening programmes. Variations in the readiness of health systems to establish and sustain lung cancer screening further contribute to the absence of comprehensive national screening initiatives.

To help address the challenges in the region, the Lung Ambition Alliance Middle East and Africa (LAA MEA) Chapter applied the Network’s framework for lung cancer screening to develop a policy brief that includes recommendations for implementing screening in the region.
 

How the framework was used to support the implementation of LDCT lung cancer screening

The LAA MEA Steering Committee played a central role in applying the framework and shaping its policy brief. The committee is composed of leading experts in lung cancer prevention, including oncologists, pulmonologists, policymakers and civil society representatives. Their diverse expertise facilitated a comprehensive review of the challenges and opportunities in implementing lung cancer screening in countries with varying healthcare capacities.

Five out of six domains of the LCPN framework were used in developing the policy brief as prioritised by the chapter’s Steering Committee. These included: Governance, Workforce & Technical Capacity, Financial Planning, Eligibility & Recruitment, and Data Monitoring & Evaluation.

Throughout the process, the committee worked collaboratively, drawing on their knowledge of both national healthcare contexts and the broader regional issues that impact lung cancer prevention. The Steering Committee’s involvement ensured that the recommendations in the policy brief were scientifically sound and contextually appropriate for the region.

The Network’s implementation toolkit and framework were invaluable in guiding the development of the policy brief. The guidelines for financial and technical capacity planning were particularly helpful in outlining realistic approaches for implementing screening programmes, especially in LMICs.

Additionally, the Eligibility & Recruitment domain was critical for understanding how to effectively identify those at risk for lung cancer beyond the usual high-risk groups in the screening process. This was particularly important given the diverse socioeconomic factors that influence healthcare access in the region.

The LAA MEA’s initial goals were to develop actionable, region-specific recommendations for implementing lung cancer screening programmes in the region, with a focus on overcoming financial, infrastructural and healthcare system barriers. The LCPN framework and toolkit provided a structured, evidence-based approach that enabled the LAA MEA to systematically address each of these barriers.

By using the framework and toolkit, the LAA MEA was able to identify concrete steps that individual countries could take to build the necessary infrastructure for screening. The toolkit’s resources also ensured that the proposed strategies could be adapted and refined over time based on local data and outcomes.

Ultimately, the LCPN framework helped the LAA MEA align its recommendations with global best practices and the specific needs of the region, ensuring that the recommendations are feasible and impactful in reducing the burden of lung cancer in the region.
 

Next steps

The LAA MEA plans to use its policy brief as a foundational tool to engage key stakeholders – including governments, healthcare providers, civil society and international organisations – in advocating for the development and implementation of lung cancer screening programmes. Going forward, the focus will be on raising awareness about the burden of lung cancer in the region, particularly its high mortality rates, with an emphasis on the importance of early detection.

Looking ahead, ongoing cost-effectiveness studies in Saudi Arabia and Turkey are expected to provide critical insights into the economic feasibility and impact of national lung cancer screening programmes. These studies will help guide decisions on resource allocation and highlight potential savings from early diagnosis. It will also be essential to evaluate existing care pathways and assess the need for increased investment in workforce capacity and digital innovation in lung cancer services, with a focus on ensuring access for vulnerable and at-risk populations.

Additionally, international frameworks and recommendations emerging from the World Health Assembly are anticipated to further support the implementation of lung cancer screening in the region.