Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality, with the American Cancer Society estimating that 229,410 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2026. Of these, 124,990 individuals are expected to die from the disease. The overall 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 28%, but it increases to 65% among those diagnosed with localized disease, highlighting the importance of early detection.
Lung Cancer Remains a Significant Health Concern
Mortality rates have declined due to reduced smoking, earlier detection, and advances in treatment. However, disparities in screening, biomarker testing, treatment access, and clinical trial participation continue to limit progress. The American Cancer Society recommends annual low-dose computed tomography for adults aged 50 to 80 years with a 20 pack-year smoking history.
Community pharmacists play a significant role in identifying screening candidates by reviewing age and history of tobacco use during medication counseling, immunization visits, and medication therapy management encounters. Patients who may qualify can then be referred to a primary care clinician or screening program for shared decision-making.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual low-dose computed tomography for adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the previous 15 years. Despite these recommendations, most eligible individuals do not undergo lung cancer screening. Pharmacists should be aware of differences among screening recommendations, insurance coverage requirements, and institutional protocols.
Tobacco cessation is a priority, as cigarette smoking causes an estimated 86% of lung cancers in the US. Pharmacists can routinely assess tobacco and nicotine use, provide brief behavioral counseling, recommend or prescribe cessation pharmacotherapy when permitted, and connect patients with quit lines or other support services.
Precision Treatment Expands the Pharmacist’s Role
Treatment has shifted from a predominantly chemotherapy-based approach toward increasingly individualized combinations of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Biomarker testing is now routinely used to guide therapy selection in non–small cell lung cancer, with actionable findings potentially identifying candidates for targeted agents.
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Recent approvals, such as the FDA’s approval of zidesamtinib for adults with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive non–small cell lung cancer, illustrate the speed of this evolution. For pharmacists, expanding treatment options creates additional responsibilities, including verifying biomarker results, assessing drug interactions, and monitoring for adverse events.
Lung cancer is a complex disease that requires an approach that includes several factors. By integrating prevention, screening education, precision medicine, and supportive care into routine practice, pharmacists can help translate advances in lung cancer care into longer and healthier lives.
Turning Awareness Into Action
World Lung Cancer Day, observed annually on August 1, provides an opportunity to recognize progress in lung cancer care while emphasizing the persistent need for earlier detection and equitable access to treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides resources and information for clinicians on lung cancer, including screening and treatment options. Pharmacists can use these resources to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in lung cancer care and provide high-quality care to their patients.
Pharmacists can help patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors recognize potentially serious toxicities, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, and dermatologic reactions. Early recognition and escalation are critical because symptoms may initially appear nonspecific.
Pharmacists can help connect patients with resources such as gene therapy access information to help address potential challenges in lung cancer treatment.
