The physician or surgeon who becomes the patient's first treating specialist may not be involved years later when metastases appear. The radiation oncologist is not going to be in the patient's home when the mist morphine needs to be replaced by a subcutaneous infusion. The medical oncologist will not be treating the family after the patients death. The GP's role begins with patient education about lung cancer prevention, early detection and prompt and appropriate referral. The GP also provides support through the phases of specialist treatment and has an important part to play in the management of patients with advanced disease, including the in-home palliative care of the dying patient.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in Australia.
While it used to be identified as a male-dominated disease, this is changing with changes in smoking patterns. Both tobacco use and lung cancer incidence are increasing in Australian women aged 25-44 and, in one state at least, now exceed levels seen in men of the same age. Prevention Prevention is the only answer. Lung cancer continues to kill, despite modern therapies. GP health promotion targeting smoking should be unrelenting and multifaceted.