Lung Cancer Care in New Zealand

In this episode of Lung Cancer Considered, host Dr. Stephen Liu speaks with two thoracic oncologists practicing in New Zealand—Dr. Laird Cameron from Auckland Hospital and Dr. Annie Wong from the University of Otago—about the unique challenges and approaches to lung cancer care in their island nation of 5.4 million people. The conversation explores New Zealand's healthcare coverage system, patient population characteristics including smoking rates, the current state of lung cancer screening programs, and how molecular testing is conducted for non-small cell lung cancer patients. Drs. Cameron and Wong discuss access to targeted therapies and immunotherapy, the drug approval process in New Zealand, cultural considerations and health disparities affecting lung cancer treatment, and the clinical research infrastructure available in the country. This global perspective highlights how IASLC members face different regional challenges while working toward common goals in advancing lung cancer care.