Screening and Early Detection of Lung Cancer

Abstract

Objective: To review current risk factors for lung cancer, identify screening and early detection guidelines while describing new approaches that use genomic technologies.

Data sources: Published scientific literature, clinical literature, and published lung cancer screening guidelines from the United States and Canada.

Conclusion: Nurses are caring for lung cancer patients who, historically, do not live for long periods after diagnosis. Research is revealing promising screening methodologies that can detect lung cancer 1 to 4 years earlier than the current approaches.

Implications for nursing practice: Current knowledge about screening for lung cancer is a vital tool for nurses working with persons at high risk for this potentially aggressive and life-threatening malignancy. While old methods remain the standard of care, new detection methods use a variety of genomic-based technologies. These developing approaches emphasize the need for nurses at all levels of practice to have a working knowledge of genetics to educate patients and conference with colleagues.

Keywords: LDCT; cell free DNA (cfDNA); circulating tumor cells (CTCs); early detection; lung cancer screening; miRNA; spiral CT.