Improving lung cancer care through nurse navigation

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, and accounts for more cancer deaths (28%) than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined [1]. Lung cancer diagnosis and treatment often involves multiple providers and procedures.

In particular, the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is often complex and may involve multiple procedures, providers, and appointments. As such, care for NSCLC is vulnerable to delays in diagnosis and treatment for a variety of reasons that include patient, provider, and institutional factors. Bowles et al. reported that poor communication and coordination during transition to specialists, in addition to a lack of patient awareness and empowerment, adversely impacts quality cancer care and patient outcomes [2]. Socioeconomically disadvantaged patients face even greater barriers, often resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment, delays that lead to advanced disease at initial diagnosis [2,3]. Bowles et al. recommends having care coordination at every phase of the cancer care process [2].

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