Shifting the Focus Upstream and Improving Outcomes Across the Care Continuum
Since TOGA’s inception, we have welcomed research proposals in the areas of prevention and quality of care. However, until now, there has not been a dedicated representative group within TOGA to specifically review and support work in this space. The establishment of the new Preventative and Quality Care Working Group addresses this gap, bringing together a focused panel of experts to review, support, and enable research that strengthens prevention strategies, quality improvement initiatives, and patient-centred care.
Why This Working Group Matters
Despite advances in systemic therapy and precision medicine, thoracic malignancies remain among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Many patients continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages, and variations in care delivery can influence outcomes.
There is growing recognition that:
- Earlier diagnosis significantly improves survival
- Screening implementation requires research-informed optimisation
- Biomarker development must be clinically integrated
- Patient experience and quality of care directly impact outcomes
- Health system factors influence equity and access
The Preventative and Quality Care Working Group addresses these priorities directly and will expand TOGA’s focus beyond treatment trials alone to include the broader areas of cancer care.
Scope of the Working Group
This Working Group recognises that improving outcomes requires attention across the entire care pathway from risk identification through to survivorship. The group supports research across three interlinked domains:
Prevention
- Risk reduction strategies
- Smoking cessation and behavioural interventions
- Environmental and occupational exposure research
- Public health and implementation science initiatives
Early Detection
- Lung cancer screening programs
- Biomarker-driven early diagnosis
- Imaging innovation and optimisation
- Pathways to reduce diagnostic delay
- Real-world implementation of early detection strategies
Quality of Care
- Variation in care delivery
- Equity of access across geographic and demographic groups
- Health services and systems research
Examples of past study concepts endorsed by TOGA that would now fall within the scope of this Working Group include studies addressing inequity in care, testing new technologies for early diagnosis, and Quality Care Registries, such as the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry (VLCR), Lung Cancer Clinical Quality Data Platform (LUCAP) and Mesothelioma Patterns of Care.
We Invite Your Ideas and Involvement
If you are developing research related to prevention, early detection, health services, or quality care improvement in thoracic oncology, we encourage you to connect with the Preventative and Quality Care Working Group.
You do not need a fully developed protocol to start the conversation. Early engagement allows the Working Group to provide constructive input, strengthen feasibility, and help shape projects for endorsement and funding success.
Importantly, we also welcome new members to join the Working Group.
We are seeking clinicians, researchers, nurses, allied health professionals, public health experts, and consumer representatives who are passionate about improving prevention strategies, screening implementation, and quality of care across the thoracic cancer continuum.
By joining the Working Group, you will have the opportunity to:
- Contribute to shaping TOGA’s prevention and quality research agenda
- Provide expert input into emerging study concepts
- Collaborate across disciplines and institutions
- Support innovation that improves patient outcomes at a systems level
If you are interested in joining, please register below.
