Author: Brittney Nichols, MPH, BSN-RN, Specialist, Science and Research

This summer, the World Conference on Lung Cancer convened in Vienna, Austria. GO2 shared our research with this community as both lead authors and collaborators on several projects to help advance the diagnosis, treatment, and survival of people with lung cancer.

SHAWL Study

The GO2 for Lung Cancer Team at the World Conference on Lung Cancer

One of the most talked about presentations covered a subject seldom discussed in public. Sexual health and dysfunction in women with lung cancer is important to their quality of life but is unfortunately rarely addressed. This is an issue that can persist even after treatment concludes and is associated with high symptom burden and depression. Dr. Narjust Florez partnered with GO2 for Lung Cancer to launch a sexual health survey for women through the Lung Cancer Registry. Two hundred forty-nine women answered questions related to their sexual health and function before and after their lung cancer diagnosis. being diagnosed with lung cancer.

The results found sexual dysfunction is common in women with lung cancer. Most survey respondents reported little to no interest in sexual activity (77%), driven largely by tiredness (40%), feeling sad/unhappy (28%), and shortness of breath (15%). Vaginal dryness and discomfort were also noted as areas of concern (50% and 26%, respectively).

The needs of women with lung cancer differ from those of other cancers and should not be generalized or overlooked. Shortness of breath is of particular concern because it is more specific to lung cancer and warrants additional therapeutic management. This study demonstrates the significant impact that lung cancer has on the sexual health of women, and the importance of addressing it. Sexual health should become a part of routine thoracic oncology care and to improve women’s sexual health and quality of life.

Patients: Don’t be afraid to speak up and talk about these issues with a member of your healthcare team. Read more about the SHAWL Study.

The Impact of COVID on Lung Cancer Screening, Treatment, and Support

The cancer research community is still working to discern the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the lung cancer care continuum. A GO2 study led by the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mt. Sinai sought to understand the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in people diagnosed with lung cancer. Overall, most patients had an adequate immune response to the vaccine. However, 5% did not respond and further research is underway to determine why.

GO2’s Center of Excellence (COE) team conducted a survey of our COEs to learn how screening programs fared during this time. Of the 99 centers responding, 85% said patient recruitment was adversely affected and 79% reported changes to their face-to-face patient encounters. These are crucial elements for a community lung cancer screening program and this area will need continued attention to ensure we can enhance screening to reduce lung cancer mortality.

In addition, GO2’s Patient Support Services team contacted lung cancer support groups to learn how they were able to continue helping patients during a time of unprecedented stress and isolation. Eighty percent of the responding groups reported switching to either phone or video meetings and all but six used it as an opportunity to expand their reach to support patients outside of their original location.

New Data on Experiences and Preferences of People with Lung Cancer

In 2022, the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GO2 for Lung Cancer is a member) launched their 3rd annual online patient experience survey  across 21 countries. The results shed new light on the lived experiences of people with lung cancer. Nearly half (48%) of patients said they did not feel fully involved in their cancer care decision-making. In addition, 9% reported that they were not involved at all but wished they were. Promising for early diagnosis, the survey also showed that 85% of respondents would attend a lung cancer screening event if asked, and the majority said that despite the telehealth boom during COVID, they would prefer to receive in-office cancer care.

Pauline Frank deployed a survey study in nine countries to examine patient experiences and care. She found that pulmonologists and respiratory specialists are among the most influential care providers for lung cancer patients , because they are often make the lung cancer diagnosis. When making treatment choices, key factors the 1,000 participating patients considered most were living longer (54%), controlling cancer (53%) and improving quality of life (44%). This information can help providers deliver patient-centered care that aligns with everyone’s preferences and values.

Advancing Education, Accessibility and implementing Optimal Care

GO2 wants all people with lung cancer to receive the best care, regardless of who they are and where they live. Several areas of work focusing on this premise was presented at the World Lung Conference. GO2 Chief Scientific Officer Jennifer C. King, PhD. provided an update on GO2’s small cell initiative which aims to expand education and advocacy of care for the small cell l lung cancer community. By gathering information from both patients and providers, this study has resulted in new educational materials, events and articles to improve the awareness and care of this underserved population. Learn more about our small cell initiative here.

GO2’s LungMATCH Program Manager Daniel Saez MSc. shared perspectives from community healthcare providers on the current state of biomarker testing – regarded as a key element of high-quality cancer care. Community centers have lower rates and access to this testing. A majority of providers said centers can overcome some of the challenges surrounding testing, including long turn-around time and insufficient tissue available by increasing the use and education surrounding liquid biopsy testing.

Another core aspect of high-quality cancer care is participation in clinical trials, however less than 10% of patients enroll in a trial. GO2 Associate Director of Clinical Research Andrew Ciupek, PhD shared insights on barriers to clinical trial enrollment from our Centers of Excellence (COE) and patient experience. Forty-six percent of responding COEs reported a major obstacle to enrolling patients is the lack of local trials. For patients unable to enroll in a trial themselves, more than half (55%) said it was due to restrictions in the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

The value of trials combined with the difficulties in participation underscore the importance of trial sponsors bringing their studies to community cancer centers in addition to academic medical centers, as well as ensuring trials are available to a robust patient population.

In addition to the struggles people face coping with a lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, many are also  forced to deal with stigma surrounding their disease. This stigma also sometimes felt in the healthcare system. To combat this, Drs. Smita Banerjee and Jamie Ostroff of Memorial Sloan Kettering presented data on a new training they have developed that will teach cancer care providers empathic communication skills to reduce patient perception of stigma. The training is being piloted with 21 providers and have found it is being very well received. It is now beginning trials in cancer centers across the country. Learn more about the Empathic Communication Skills Training Study.

While we are excited by the new advances shared in the 2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer, we are aware that there is still more work to be done for the lung cancer community. GO2 will continue our important work and look forward to sharing our progress at the next World Lung gathering in 2023.