New Director for Lung Cancer Coalition
The UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC), the UK’s largest multi-interest group in lung cancer, has today (7th October 2026) appointed Sara Hiom to its Board of Directors.
Sara brings over 35 years’ experience in working to improve cancer detection, diagnosis and outcomes. She spent two decades at Cancer Research UK, where her roles included Director of Cancer Intelligence, Early Diagnosis and Clinical Engagement, and she played a central role in establishing the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership. More recently she joined GRAIL, helping to set up the 140,000 participant NHS Galleri® multi cancer blood test trial and serving as Vice President for NHS Engagement and External Affairs. She is also a former Trustee of the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG).
Commenting on her appointment, Sara said:
“I am delighted to be joining the UKLCC, which has been a key voice in the lung cancer community for over 20 years. I look forward to supporting the Coalition and its members in continuing to drive forward the lung cancer agenda — an area I am deeply passionate about.”
Over the next 12 months, the UKLCC will focus on sustaining momentum behind the full roll out of the NHS England National Targeted Lung Cancer Screening Programme by 2030. The programme has already diagnosed nearly 12,500 lung cancers, with 75% identified at an early stage. The Coalition will also continue to support implementation of targeted screening across the other UK nations.
Alongside this, the UKLCC will maintain its work to mitigate health inequalities in lung cancer, improve genomic testing turnaround times, and look to develop consensus on surveillance of lung cancer survivors.
Dr David Gilligan, Chair of the UKLCC, said:
“We thank Sara for agreeing to join us and share her wealth of expertise working in cancer intelligence and early diagnosis, as well as her experience in influencing at senior levels of government, the NHS and other key health organisations.”
Sara joins fellow UKLCC Directors Professor Robert Rintoul (Clinical Advisory Group Lead), Professor Mick Peake OBE (Founder), Professor Neal Navani (National Lung Cancer Audit Clinical Lead), Cathy Brokenshire (campaigner and fundraiser) and Dr Daryl Freeman (Clinical Adviser, Norfolk & Waveney ICB).
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Note to editors:
About the UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC)
The UKLCC is the UK’s largest multi‑stakeholder coalition dedicated to improving lung cancer survival and quality of care. Established in 2005, the coalition brings together clinicians, charities, patients and industry partners to drive evidence‑based policy change, reduce inequalities and promote earlier diagnosis. The UKLCC’s current ambition is to achieve 35% five‑year survival by 2035, a target made achievable through the expansion of targeted lung cancer screening. www.uklcc.org.uk
About lung cancer
Lung cancer is the UK’s biggest cancer killer with nearly 33,000 people dying each year.2 It accounts for almost one fifth of all UK cancer deaths (19%) 2- and lung cancer in never smokers is the eighth most common cause of cancer-related death in the UK.3 Five-year UK lung cancer survival rates compare poorly with comparable European countries (16.2%)4- and nearly one-third (30%) of people with lung cancer are diagnosed by emergency admission to hospital (in England).5 However, it can be cured if diagnosed early enough.
References:
1. NHS England Lung Cancer Screening Monthly Update. Dated 8th September 2026
2. Cancer Research UK Statistics. Accessed July 2026 https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/lung-cancer
3. Lung cancer in never smokers: a hidden disease. Peake M et al. Accessed July 2026 at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0141076819843654
4. IHE, Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe 2019 – disease burden, costs and access to medicines. Accessed July 2026: https://ihe.se/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IHE-Report-2019_7_.pdf
5. National Lung Cancer Audit State of the Nation Report 2026. Accessed July 2026: https://www.natcan.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NLCA-State-of-the-Nation-Report-2026.pdf
For further information, please contact:
Lynsey Conway
UKLCC External Affairs
07778 304233
email@lynseyconway.co.uk