Better Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients

The project is titled "Improving the Quality of Life (QoL) of Patients with Lung Cancer through Preference-Oriented QoL Monitoring and Linkage with Cancer Registry Data" (LePaLuMo) and has been running since December 2022, continuing until the end of this year. One of its achievements is the identification of key quality of life criteria (QoL dimensions) for lung cancer care and their differing relevance for doctors and patients. These findings are essential for doctor-patient communication and promote patient-centered care. They help physicians to better understand the overall health situation of their patients and to tailor treatment more individually.

The main study phase of the project began in February 2024. Since then, patients have been recruited in the participating clinics in Bayreuth, Bamberg, Kulmbach, Coburg, Straubing, Donaustauf, and at the University Hospital Regensburg. During treatment and follow-up over a six-month period, they complete standardized questionnaires on their quality of life. The resulting individual quality-of-life profiles can be viewed in real-time by both patients and their treating physicians. Additionally, both groups have access to contact details for a regional care network, and in cases where patients experience declines in quality of life, specific support measures are provided.

The Quality of Life Therapy Areas of the Lung Cancer Care Network

A new regional care network for lung cancer was established in Upper Franconia, while existing networks in the Regensburg area were expanded. These networks cover key QoL-related treatment and follow-up areas for lung cancer, jointly identified by the project team and collaborating physicians. Regular meetings (quality circles) are held within the network to enhance regional exchange. Impulse talks by physicians involved in lung cancer care and other network participants support a stronger interdisciplinary understanding and improve collaboration. In the long term, the established care networks are to be expanded to include other types of cancer, such as breast cancer.

More than 130 therapists and healthcare providers are currently involved in the network. This not only contributes to improving the quality of life for patients but also promotes timely and locally accessible care. Providing contact details allows for quick and targeted action when necessary. The regional care networks are dynamic and can be continuously expanded—additional therapists and providers can join at any time. Those interested in participating can contact: lebensqualitaet.lepalumo@ur.de.

Another central component of LePaLuMo is the first-time linkage of collected QoL data with clinical cancer registry data from the Bavarian Cancer Registry. This offers the opportunity to identify potential and barriers and to answer relevant research questions from both physicians’ and patients’ perspectives.