Lung cancer is a substantial global burden for patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems. Multiple scientific international and national initiatives are tackling the various problems associated with this disease, which is currently the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. During the European Respiratory Society International Congress 2018 in Paris, France, lung cancer experts gathered to present the most recent aspects of lung cancer care, and discuss the need for joint initiatives and an international lung cancer alliance, aiming to provide high quality, accessible health care. The US experience and American Lung Association/American Thoracic Society implementation guide on lung cancer screening programmes, the key features of optimising and implementing such programmes, the challenges of treatment in the subset of patients where lung cancer is combined with interstitial lung disease, and novel lung cancer biomarkers and immunotherapy were among the most anticipated issues covered during the congress.