Catching Cancer Early: New Tools Support Patients With Lung Nodules

The American Lung Association (ALA), in partnership with Olympus, has launched a new campaign to help patients better understand lung nodules — small spots that can appear on the lungs and, in some cases, may be an early sign of lung cancer.

As part of this effort, the ALA has created a set of resources including a guide to lung nodule reports, a tool to explain follow-up guidelines and a worksheet to help patients plan their next steps. The goal is to make the process less overwhelming and ensure patients have clear, reliable information to navigate what can be a very confusing time.

Thomas Gildea, M.D., pulmonologist and global medical director at Olympus, emphasized that catching lung cancer early is key. “Cancer cure is really only possible when it starts early,” he explained. Lung nodules can be found through screening, incidentally during other tests or after vague symptoms such as a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain or even changes in voice. Because these symptoms are often subtle, screening programs are vital — they can detect abnormalities before patients realize something is wrong. Research shows that lung cancer screening increases survival by at least 20% compared with chest X-rays.

Annette Eyer, assistant vice president of nationwide patient engagement at the ALA, highlighted the organization’s mission to empower patients and families. The campaign is designed to make patients feel less afraid and more prepared by helping them understand their scan results, advocate for themselves and make informed decisions about their care. “If this campaign helps one person, one family, feel less afraid and more prepared to face what might come next, then this campaign has done its job,” she said.

Gildea also noted that lung cancer screening remains underutilized, with far too few eligible patients taking advantage of it. He stressed the need to reach not only those currently eligible for screening but also individuals who may be at risk outside of traditional guidelines, such as younger people, nonsmokers and those with genetic predispositions. By expanding awareness and supporting early detection, both experts hope this initiative will save lives.

Ultimately, this campaign represents a commitment to patient education, empowerment and advocacy. By providing clear resources and guidance, the ALA and Olympus aim to ensure patients feel supported from the moment a lung nodule is detected through every step of the journey.