Lung Cancer Screening: Implementation of and Barriers to a Nurse Practitioner–Led Program

Lung cancer accounts for more American deaths annually than any other cancer, and the survival rate is low among those diagnosed with advanced-stage disease. Screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) can help to reduce mortality. CT screening for lung cancer should be performed in the context of a comprehensive screening program, rather than as a single isolated test. The addition of the nurse practitioner role is instrumental in creating a lung cancer screening program that may increase patient satisfaction and that meets regulatory criteria.

AT A GLANCE

• Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT has been shown to help reduce lung cancer mortality rates.
• A nurse practitioner is well equipped to evaluate patients, engage in shared decision making, offer smoking cessation guidance, and counsel patients regarding lung nodules within a lung cancer screening program.
• With the right stakeholders and interprofessional collaboration, development and implementation of a lung cancer screening program can be successfully realized.