The Australian Lung Foundation

The Australian Lung Foundation (ALF) is a not-for-profit, public benevolent institution, launched in 1990 by a group of Physicians. The need for an Australian Lung Foundation was first recognised by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand in the mid 1980’s. It was observed that a Lung Foundation had been successfully established in the United Kingdom (British Lung Foundation) and the United States (American Lung Association). Both these organisations had a long and successful track record in fundraising, advocacy, education and support. The ALF is committed to raising funds for medical and scientific research; reducing the emotional and financial burden of lung disease in the community through patient and carer support; educating the community about lung health and influencing public policy. The ALF is working to achieve these objectives in a variety of ways:

• By assisting patients and carers throughout Australia
• Raising funds through special events and professional services
• Producing and distributing patient education leaflets
• Providing information on our web site
• Organising meetings for doctors, other health professionals and the community to consider leading lung health issues
• Assisting clinical and consumer research, including clinical trials
• Assisting the production of national medical guidelines for disease diagnosis and treatment
• Creating and managing special lung disease programs
• Managing a national call centre and information assistance line.

The ALF is dedicated to supporting health professionals by:

• Raising funds for medical research, grants and awards
• Providing assistance to health professionals through consumer awareness and support
• Multi-disciplinary consultation between professionals directly involved in the management of Chronic lung disease
• Lobbying government for positive changes in health policy
• Managing special projects in education, meetings, advocacy, guidelines, publications and research
• Enhancing communication between health professionals and their patients
• Providing vital patient support group services.

The National ALF secretariat was established in Brisbane in 1994, and has representation in every Australian state and territory. The ALF vision is to be a key agent of change in Australia, bringing about the understanding, management and relief of lung disease.

Lung Cancer Consultative Group (LCCG)

The Foundation launched the LCCG in 2002, this multidisciplinary group meeting approximately 4 times per year with the assistance of industry sponsorship, to discuss initiatives to advance research or education in the area of Lung Cancer, initiatives which can be further developed by the ALF.The LCCG is a multi-disciplinary group with the following membership:

• A/Prof Kwun Fong (Chair), Thoracic Physician
• A/Prof David Ball, Radiation Oncologist
• Dr Eddie Lau, Radiation Oncologist
• Dr Rayleen Bowman, Respiratory Physician
• Dr Peter Cole, Thoracic Surgeon
• A/Prof Lou Irving, Thoracic Physician
• A/Prof Matthew Peters, Thoracic Physician
• Prof Bruce Robinson, Thoracic Physician
• A/Prof Paul Mitchell, Medical Oncologist
• Dr Nick Pavlakis, Medical Oncologist
• Dr John Litt, GP Member and RACGP Representative
• Ms Caitlin Broderick/ Ms Kirsten Mooney, Thoracic Cancer Nurse Coordinator
• Ms Linda Christenson, Consumer Representative
• Prof Jane Ingham, Palliative Care Physician

In April 2003, the LCCG launched a Lung Cancer Case Statement at the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting. This statement was updated for 2006. This document provides a core communication and reference piece which summarises why lung cancer needs attention. It is an excellent educative tool for any one interested in lung cancer including the media and consumer advocates. The ALF, LCCG and ALTG hosted the 2006 and 2008 Australian Lung Cancer Conferences.  These conferences were developed as an interactive workshop environment addressing the latest evidence from the bench and bedside to identify cost-effective multidisciplinary treatment strategies for lung cancer.  The Australian Lung Cancer Conference will be held on a biannual calendar.The Australian Lung Foundation is committed to reducing the prevalence and impact of lung cancer. It is a challenge that will require a collaborative effort from the community, research institutions, health professionals, government and other stakeholders. In order to influence health outcomes, the effort to combat lung cancer will have to be sustained and it is likely to be costly. However, the cost of inaction, both individually and for the community, mandates this concerted approach. Essential goals for lung cancer include reduction in lung cancer associated morbidity and mortality and a long-term reduction in the prevalence of lung cancer. Strategies for achieving these goals include:

• Allocation of research funds proportionate to the burden of this disease;
• Continued tobacco control and smoking prevention efforts;
• Widespread recognition of the impact of lung cancer on individuals and families; improved understanding of the modifiable risk factors associated with the development of lung cancer;
• Optimal screening tools for earlier diagnosis; Equitable access to effective multidisciplinary treatments; and
• The promotion of more positive perceptions of the disease.

The ALF LCCG is currently pursuing a number of initiatives including the development of a national lung cancer database, a Medline abstraction update service, and a consumer support group amongst other ideas aimed at trying to assist to improve lung cancer outcomes in Australia.

Other Major Initiatives of the ALF LCCG Consultative Group:

Australasian Lung cancer Trials Group (ALTG)

The Australasian Lung cancer Trials Group (ALTG) is Australia and New Zealand 's lung and thoracic cancer clinical research group. The ALTG is a multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to reducing the incidence, morbidity and mortality of lung and thoracic cancer and improving the quality of life of lung and thoracic cancer patients in Australia and New Zealand through the coordination and facilitation of high quality clinical research. The ALTG collaborates with a number of organizations including the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Both of these groups are leaders in Australia for the design, conduct, analysis and publication of oncology clinical trials, including working with both Australia and international collaborative groups. The specific objectives of the ALTG are:

To facilitate participation in the development, conduct, evaluation, reporting of clinical trials in lung and thoracic cancer.

To promote the use of clinical trials in evaluating new treatments and management approaches for lung and thoracic cancer.

The ALTG have a Management Advisory Committee and a Scientific Advisory Committee. These committees contain the following members:

Management Advisory Committee (MAC)

• Prof Michael Millward – President, Medical Oncologist
• A/Prof Kwun Fong – Past President, Thoracic Physician
• Dr Michael Boyer – Chair,  SAC, Medical Oncologist
• Mr Peter Flynn – Treasurer, CT Surgeon
• Ms Haryana Dhillon – Secretary
• Dr Martin Phillips – Respiratory Physician
• Dr Geoff Hawson – Palliative Care Physician
• Ms Mary Duffy – Allied Health/ Nursing
• Dr Ben Solomon – Medical Oncologist
• Dr Richard Sullivan – New Zealand Representative
• Dr Shalini Vinod – Radiation Oncologist
• Mr Gavin Wright – CT Surgeon

Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)

• Dr Michael Boyer – Chair, Medical Oncologist
• Prof Michael Millward – President / Chair, MAC, Medical Oncologist
• A/Prof Kwun Fong – Past President, Thoracic Physician
• Dr Martin Stockler – Clinical Epidemiologist
• Dr Jeff Bowden – Respiratory Physician
• Mr Gavin Wright – CT Surgeon
• Dr Tim Christmas – NZ Representative
• Dr Andrew Wirth – Radiation Oncologist
• Dr Mamta Bagia – ALTG Clinical Research Fellow
• Mr Andrew Bowen – Consumer Representative
• Mr Chris Brown – Statistician
• Dr John Andrew Davidson – Medical Oncologist
• Dr Malcolm Feigen – Radiation Oncologist
• Dr Nick Pavlakis – Medical Oncologist
• Dr Amanda Stevanovic – Medical Oncologist / Palliative Care
• Mr Eric Tsobanis – Trials Program Manager

For more information visit www.altg.com.au.

Kylie Johnston Lung Cancer Network              

The Kylie Johnston Lung Cancer Network aims to provide comprehensive information, emotional support and advocacy for people living with lung cancer in Australia. At present, there is no single organisation in Australia that specifically provides this form of support for lung cancer patients, their families, and carers. In response to this need, The Australian Lung Foundation’s National Council made the decision to incubate the Kylie Johnston Lung Cancer Network, offering support, and giving hope and understanding to the thousands of people diagnosed with lung cancer every year. For more information visit www.kjlcn.org.au.