First Central Asian Forum on Lung Cancer

The First Central Asian Forum on Lung Cancer was held at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 8 and 9, 2025. Organized by the Kazakhstan Cancer Society, KazIOR, and the I-ELCAP/IELCART consortia, the forum brought together regional and international experts to address the urgent challenge of late-stage lung cancer diagnosis in Central Asia. National data show that fewer than one-third of patients are diagnosed at stages I and II, while over 70% present with advanced disease. High smoking prevalence, environmental exposures such as radon, asbestos, and industrial pollution, and strong geographic variation in risk highlight the need for tailored screening programs. Kazakhstan is well-positioned to scale up low-dose CT (LDCT) screening given its CT scanner capacity, mobile units for underserved regions, and prior pilot screening successes. Conference sessions emphasized risk modeling, cost-effectiveness, artificial intelligence applications, and the added value of LDCT for detecting cardiovascular disease and emphysema. Plans are underway for collaborative projects and future conferences to strengthen regional capacity for early detection and treatment.