ICMR set to bring in evidence-based norms for lung cancer management

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

Lung cancer is a major health concern in India, representing 10% of all cancer-related deaths in the country.
However, there are no evidence-based guidelines for its prevention, screening, diagnosis, management, or palliation.

Initiative by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):

Recognizing the need for comprehensive guidelines, the ICMR plans to launch systematic reviews and meta-analyses to consolidate existing evidence.
This effort aims to inform clinical practice and enhance patient outcomes in lung cancer management.
An Expression of Interest (EoI) has been issued to researchers interested in undertaking systematic reviews and meta-analyses on lung cancer, focusing on pre-defined review questions (PICOs).
These reviews will assess the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool, evaluating the strength of the evidence and informing recommendations through the Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework.
Scope and Methodology:
- Researchers may be assigned multiple review questions, covering areas such as prevention, screening, and diagnosis.
- The GRADE methodology will be employed to systematically assess and grade the evidence derived from the reviews, facilitating the formulation of guidelines.

About Lung Cancer:

Lung cancer is a malignant tumour developed in the lung which is caused due to uncontrollable growth of cells within the lung tissues. There are two stages of lung tumour.
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Small cell lung cancer
The World Health Organization highlights lung cancer as a significant public health issue worldwide, primarily caused by tobacco smoking.
Other risk factors include second-hand smoke exposure, occupational hazards, air pollution, genetic factors, and pre-existing lung diseases.
Conclusion

Source: TH