Lung Cancer Navigation and Care: A Comprehensive Guide for Navigators and Allied Health Professionals

This Open Access Lung Cancer Navigation and Care is the first site-specific, comprehensive clinical guide designed specifically for Lung Cancer Navigators and Allied Health Professionals. This essential resource delivers end-to-end foundational knowledge, clinical guidelines, best practices, and critical tools to elevate the standard of care and promote equitable health outcomes for individuals at risk for or living with lung cancer.

With lung cancer remaining the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. and globally, this guide addresses the urgent need for timely, evidence-based, and person-centered care. Each chapter is authored by multidisciplinary experts and seasoned navigators, offering in-depth content paired with real-world vignettes that illustrate practical application in patient navigation. Key takeaways, curated readings, and actionable resources conclude every chapter, making this a hands-on companion for clinical and community-based professionals alike.

This textbook also confronts the disproportionate impact of lung cancer on historically marginalized communities and emphasizes the role of navigation in addressing social determinants of health. It highlights the promise of early lung cancer detection and innovations such as biomarker testing and targeted therapies, while advocating for the integration of nurses, community health workers, and allied health professionals across the care continuum.

Whether used in clinical practice, professional development, or academic programs, Lung Cancer Navigation and Care is a groundbreaking resource that equips healthcare professionals to lead with knowledge, compassion, and impact.

Joelle Thirsk Fathi, DNP, RN, ARNP, CTTS, FAANP, FAAN, is the Chief Healthcare Delivery Officer at GO2 for Lung Cancer, the nation’s leading lung cancer advocacy organization. She leads the Excellence in Healthcare Delivery program, advancing quality care across the lung cancer continuum and supporting the development of care navigators. With over 25 years of experience as a nurse practitioner, Dr. Fathi has specialized in thoracic surgery and lung cancer care, directing programs in lung cancer screening, incidental pulmonary nodules, telehealth, and tobacco cessation. A Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, she contributes to national guidelines through the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians. She chairs the IASLC Tobacco Control and Smoking Cessation Committee and the ACS National Lung Cancer Roundtable’s task group on tobacco treatment in screening. Dr. Fathi is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Washington School of Nursing, where she served as the program director of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program. She previously served as Director of Nursing Practice and Health Policy at the Washington State Nurses Association. Dr. Fathi remains active in clinical practice, serving a diverse refugee and immigrant population in Seattle, Washington.

 Meg Fay Mortman, BSN, RN, ONN-CG, is a certified oncology nurse navigator with a clinical foundation in cardio-thoracic surgery and extensive experience advancing lung cancer screening programs. As Nurse Manager at GO2 for Lung Cancer, she champions the Centers of Excellence initiative and co-leads the Lung Cancer Navigator Program, including the flagship Lung Cancer Navigator Workshop. Prior to joining GO2 for Lung Cancer, Meg led the development and growth of an early adopter lung cancer screening program at George Washington University Hospital, where she integrated clinical best practices with streamlined workflows. She is deeply committed to improving access to high-quality, evidence-based care and reducing disparities in lung cancer outcomes. Meg shares her expertise nationally through professional presentations, writing groups, and contributions to multidisciplinary research teams. Her leadership continues to strengthen the role of nurse navigation in transforming lung cancer care across the country and beyond.