ALA and Olympus Team Up to Support Patients With Lung Nodule Findings
Most lung nodules are not cancer, but they can cause stress — these new tools aim to provide clear guidance and reduce anxiety.
By
Lana Pine
| Published on September 3, 2025
2 min read
The American Lung Association (ALA), in partnership with Olympus, has launched a new campaign to support patients who receive lung nodule findings on scans. Since most nodules are benign, the uncertainty often causes confusion, and fear spirals before patients even speak with their doctor.
Annette Eyer, vice president of Nationwide Patient Engagement for the ALA, explained that the ALA conducted patient and caregiver focus groups, which revealed three main needs:
- Clear, plain-language explanations of medical terms in scan reports.
- Guidance on questions to ask doctors about next steps.
- Support from someone who understands the full journey beyond just medical facts.
To meet these needs, the ALA developed new resources, including the following:
- A guide to lung nodule reports
- A resource on follow-up guidelines
- A worksheet for next steps
Patients also have access to Lung Health Navigators, trained professionals who provide free one-on-one support via phone, chat or video, helping them understand results, connect to resources and feel less alone.
Thomas Gildea, M.D., Olympus Global medical director of Respiratory, Medical and Scientific Affairs and a practicing pulmonologist, emphasized that lung nodules are very common and usually not cancerous, but follow-up is essential to avoid missing early-stage cancers. He described three pathways for nodule detection — through screening, incidentally during unrelated scans or due to symptoms — each with distinct clinical guidelines. This complexity can overwhelm patients when they search online, underscoring the value of standardized, patient-friendly resources.
Both experts highlighted that the campaign’s ultimate goal is to empower patients with trusted information, reduce anxiety and encourage shared decision-making with health care providers. By bridging the gap between medical guidelines and patient understanding, the initiative helps patients feel informed, supported and confident in navigating their next steps.
More on Lung Cancer
