Lung cancer is one of the most common, and deadly, forms of cancer. Alone, it is responsible for more deaths than breast, colorectal and prostate cancer combined. It remains a significant challenge, both in the clinical and research settings.

And while— a new and innovative treatment option — and existing treatments provide hope for patients, more than two-thirds of all lung cancer patients are diagnosed at a late stage, when the tumours have spread to other parts of the body. Even with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, lung cancer survival rates are amongst the lowest of all cancer types. Today, however, we have entered an era of new hope. Our understanding of lung cancer keeps growing, giving us a much clearer idea of what takes place in lung cancer cells, how the immune system controls lung cancers and how we can act on this new knowledge.

The key to combating cancer lies in understanding the ways it operates. Like for all cancers, early diagnosis presents the best chances of survival. Unfortunately, lung cancer often remains undiagnosed until it's too late.

For this reason, a critical component of our strategy against lung cancer is exploring how– tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy, immunoassay and imaging technologies – can complement one another and ensure patients are presented with the best solutions at every stage.

Moreover, at the root of our significant advancements is a focus on understanding the genetics and disease pathways behind cancer. Genomic testing and advanced diagnostics can identify mutations in patients to predict the best therapy for the best possible outcomes, ultimately giving physicians and other healthcare professionals the ability to deliver truly. Although no single intervention is likely to cure cancer—and there is much work left to do—new possibilities are changing perspectives and prognoses.