More than 226,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2025, according to estimates from the American Cancer Society. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, surpassing breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined. Efforts to improve early detection and treatment have contributed to a 26 percent increase in survival rates since 2019, as reported by the American Lung Association in 2024.
Northwell Health’s lung cancer specialists are focusing on several key areas to advance care for patients. Early screening is one of their main priorities. Detecting lung cancer at an early stage can significantly improve outcomes, but not all individuals require screening. Traditional methods such as chest x-rays were found to be imprecise, and CT scans involved notable radiation exposure. These approaches did not consistently demonstrate improved life expectancy except among those at highest risk.
Lung nodules—small, round growths found during screenings—are benign in most cases but can sometimes indicate fast-growing cancers like small cell lung cancer. Northwell has established a dedicated lung nodule program that brings together experts from interventional radiology, pulmonology, thoracic surgery, and medical oncology. This multidisciplinary team develops comprehensive plans tailored to each patient’s needs and coordinates care efficiently when a nodule is detected.
Research has played a crucial role in shaping current screening practices. The National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST), which included over 50,000 high-risk patients, demonstrated that low-dose chest CT scanning reduced lung cancer deaths by 20 percent.
However, there remain gaps in knowledge about who should be screened. More than 90 percent of NLST participants were white, meaning current guidelines may not adequately address higher risks faced by Black patients.
“In studies, we have to be enrolling equitably across patients who are high risk of lung cancer, particularly in patients who are non-white,” Dr. Seetharamu advises. “We need to refine our criteria such that it’s equitable amongst patients who are high risk of lung cancer by race.”
To address these gaps while research continues, doctors use electronic medical records to identify candidates for screening who might otherwise be missed by standard guidelines. These systems can alert high-risk individuals and help ensure they receive timely follow-up care.
Barriers between patients and treatment also persist due to mistrust stemming from racial and socioeconomic disparities and concerns about invasive procedures or financial exploitation. Stigma surrounding lung cancer as a self-inflicted disease further complicates access to care.
The American Medical Association recommends shifting the responsibility for trust onto providers rather than expecting it from patients initially; providers should actively demonstrate goodwill and build trustworthiness with those they treat.
