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The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation was established in 1990 by cardiothoracic surgeon Professor Ray Donnelly. Its mission is two-fold: supporting people affected by lung cancer andÌýsaving lives through funding research, campaigning, and raising awareness.

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We understand that when someone is diagnosed with lung cancer, they may feel anxious, overwhelmed and have many questions. For most people, lung cancer is unfamiliar territory. Suddenly they are faced with new medical terms, undergoing different tests and considering treatment options, all while trying to process the emotional impact of a life-changing diagnosis. It can be difficult to know where to turn for reliable information or what questions to ask next.

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This is where Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation can help. We are the only UK charity dedicated solely to supporting everyone affected by lung cancer. We provide a wide range of support and hope for people affected by lung cancer, including a nurse-led helpline, support groups, comprehensive information online, and an extensive range of printed booklets and factsheets.

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As the Foundation's Information Officer, my role is to write, review and update our patient information resources. The booklets can be ordered by healthcare professionals or individuals and are designed to support people throughout their lung cancer journey. Every booklet aims to answer the questions that patients and their loved ones are likely to have, presenting complex medical information in a way that is accurate, up to date and easy to understand, without losing the detail that people need to make informed decisions. Accessible information is not about oversimplifying complex medicine; it is about explaining it in a way that enables people from all backgrounds to understand, ask questions and take an active role in decisions about their care. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is knowing that the right booklet or factsheet, read at the right time, may help someone feel less frightened or more prepared for an appointment. Our goal is to help people feel equipped and reassured by our information; "armed with knowledge" rather than overwhelmed by unfamiliar terminology and uncertainty.

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Gaia Evans-Sharma, Information Officer

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Producing patient information is much more than translating medical language into plain English. Lung cancer care is continually evolving, with advances in areas such as biomarker testing, targeted therapies and immunotherapy changing how many people are diagnosed and treated. What patients needed to know even five years ago is not always what they need to know today. As guidance, diagnostic techniques and treatments develop, patient information must evolve too. Keeping our resources current is an ongoing process of reviewing the latest evidence, updating content and working in line with current evidence, national guidance and clinical practice. Our Reader Panel, made up of people affected by lung cancer, and our Expert Panel, made up of healthcare professionals working in lung cancer care and research, provide invaluable feedback to help ensure our information remains relevant, accurate and meaningful to the people who use it.ÌýTheir lived experience and clinical expertise help us include the practical questions and experiences that might otherwise be overlooked, such as how buoyancy can change after a lobectomy or the importance of following specialist advice on skincare during radiotherapy.

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Lung cancer often carries stigma, which can leave people feeling isolated or reluctant to seek support. Access to high-quality, trustworthy information can help challenge misconceptions and give patients and their families greater confidence in understanding their diagnosis and treatment options. Reliable information also helps people feel more prepared for appointments and supports more informed conversations with healthcare professionals, giving them greater confidence to navigate complex decisions throughout their care. At a time when misinformation is easily accessible online, providing evidence-based information people can trust has never been more important.

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Behind every booklet, helpline call or appointment is a diagnosis that began long before a patient reached us. Although many laboratory professionals may never meet the patients whose samples they process, the work carried out in diagnostic laboratories is one of the first and most important steps in a person's lung cancer journey and the vast majority of these diagnoses are established on diagnostic cytology specimens or small biopsies. Every accurate and timely diagnosis helps clinicians make decisions about treatment. High-quality patient information complements this by helping patients and their loved ones understand the tests they have undergone, what their results mean and what questions they may wish to ask at their appointments.

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The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation believes that everyone affected by lung cancer deserves access to information they can trust. Clear, evidence-based information cannot remove the uncertainty that comes with a diagnosis, but it can help people feel more confident, more prepared and less alone. We are grateful to everyone involved in lung cancer diagnosis and care. By combining scientific expertise with clear, compassionate communication, we can help ensure that every patient receives not only the right diagnosis, but also the understanding and support they need from the moment of diagnosis and throughout their journey.

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World Lung Cancer Day took place on 1stÌýAugust, this is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of raising awareness, reducing stigma and ensuring everyone affected by lung cancer can access trusted information and support when they need it most. To find out more about the support and information available from Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, visit ourÌý.

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