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Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for 80-85 percent of lung cancer cases, and small cell lung cancer, which accounts for 10-15 percent of cases. While the number of new lung cancer cases continues to decrease, largely due to smoking cessation efforts, avoidance of risk factors, and advances in early detection and treatment, lung cancer continues to make up nearly 25 percent of all cancer deaths.

Fragmentation in the U.S. healthcare system can impede consistent and equitable access to lung cancer care. Gaps in the quality of lung cancer care delivery persists in certain patient populations resulting in suboptimal outcomes. As such, ACCC continues to focus its efforts on developing comprehensive resources for multidisciplinary cancer care teams and patient advocates to better support patients with lung cancer, eliminate disparities related to access and treatment, and access best practice recommendations for improved quality care.

ACCC offers diverse educational resources, digital tools and publications that address the complex challenges in delivering quality lung cancer care.

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Resources

Comprehensive Quality Care for Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer

ACCC conducted patient and provider surveys to determine how to raise awareness about best practices in treating patients with small cell lung cancer. The surveys were used to identify and better understand the gaps and potential disconnects in the patient/provider relationship.

Patient-Centered Small Cell Lung Cancer Care

Through the development and facilitation of both patient and provider surveys, ACCC will highlight the patient experience, dispel myths and misconceptions, breakdown guideline-discordant treatment plans, and identify and uncover barriers, gaps, and challenges to obtaining optimal care.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Resources

Changing Care Patterns for Patients with Early-Stage NSCLC

This project will address inequities surrounding care for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer by evaluating the utilization biomarker testing and treatment of patients and identifying ideal care recommendations for this population amid rapidly advancing clinical data.

Evolving Biomarkers in NSCLC

More than 50 percent of programs stated that their processes and procedures for established and emerging biomarker testing needed improvement. Rural cancer programs indicated that they face unique barriers to biomarker testing.

Fostering Excellence in Care and Outcomes in Patients with Stage III and IV NSCLC

ACCC released the findings of a multi-year, national quality care initiative for patients with stage III and stage IV NSCLC. Six ACCC member programs focused on areas most relevant to their practice setting and found ways to incorporate the latest evidence and clinical practice guidelines.

Optimizing Advanced NSCLC Biomarker Testing, Treatment, and Management

ACCC—in partnership with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)—is committed to ensuring you have the resources, tools, and education you need to optimize the diagnosis, testing, and management of patients with advanced NSCLC, particularly those with ALK mutations.

Operational Pathways for Molecular Testing in NSCLC

Through this educational program, ACCC will identify and disseminate examples of effective practices and tools for developing, implementing, and assessing operational pathways for molecular testing for eligible patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Other Lung Cancer Initiatives

Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities

For patients with lung cancer, molecularly targeted therapies based on expression of specific biomarkers may be potential treatment options. Only through biomarker testing can clinicians discover whether lung cancers have targetable biomarkers.

Improving Care Coordination

ACCC is pleased to make available the Model for Improving Care Coordination, which is designed for programs and practices of all sizes and resource levels. In addition to a comprehensive PDF report, the Model has been transformed into a free, interactive online tool to evaluate the current state of care coordination for lung cancer patients and identify focus areas for improvement and actionable next steps.

Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative

This initiative will seek to increase lung cancer screening rates by identifying and addressing informational, literacy, and cultural barriers that inhibit rural Appalachian residents from seeking preventative cancer care.

CME/CMLE Course

Optimizing Advanced NSCLC Biomarker Testing, Treatment, and Management
This enduring material was recorded from an interactive, virtual (live) summit to enhance coordination of patient care and gain deeper scientific knowledge, skills, and competence in biomarker testing practices, treatment selection, and management of adverse events in patients with advanced NSCLC. This activity offers up to 4.5 hours of CME/CMLE credit.

From the ACCCBuzz Blog

Oncology Issues Articles

Digital Tools

Biomarker Testing Implementation Roadmap for Advanced NSCLC
An innovative tool to implement, expand, and sustain biomarker testing for patients with advanced NSCLC.

Biomarker Testing Resource Library
Curated materials to support the implementation of biomarker testing for patients with advanced NSCLC.

NSCLC Resource Library
Filter by target audience (clinical care team or patients), cancer stage, or keyword. Email resources to patients or colleagues with one click!

Cancer Buzz Podcasts

  • [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 10: QI for Advanced NSCLC
    Nov 18, 2021

    Hear from Wendi Waugh, Director of Cancer Services, Southern Ohio Medical Center, as she discusses the implementation of a process improvement plan with a focus on enhancing care for patients with advanced NSCLC. 

  • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 43: Lung Cancer Screening During COVID-19
    Nov 17, 2020

    We take a look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted lung screenings across the country and how oncology teams are adapting their outreach and education to reach as many people as possible.

  • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 41: Lung Cancer Awareness Month
    Nov 3, 2020

    We mark the beginning of Lung Cancer Awareness Month by looking at the present landscape for the diagnosis and treatment of one of the most common cancers in the world.

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