HJBR Nov/Dec 2025

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  NOV / DEC 2025 43 Brad D. Vincent, MD Pulmonology Ochsner Baton Rouge procedure that can potentially detect can- cer early, in its most treatable stage, and about smoking cessation and counseling resources. Even highly motivated patients have trouble quitting. Dedicated smoking cessation programs offer support and coun- seling throughout the process with certified tobacco treatment specialists. 2. Enhance patient-provider communication. When a scan reveals a lung nodule, pa- tients often feel overwhelmed and anxious. The treatment team must provide clear, compassionate, and comprehensive infor- mation. Patients must understand in clear terms what a nodule is, along with the next steps of treatment. By setting clear expecta- tions and creating a transparent care plan, treatment teams can reduce patients’anxiety and empower them to be proactive in the decision-making process. 3. Standardize and streamline the diagnostic pathway. From the moment a nodule is detected, the path to diagnosis and treatment must be clear and consistent. Avoiding delays in care has been shown to improve outcomes. Adherence to established national guidelines in both diagnosis and treatment sides of the lung cancer equation leads to efficient and less costly care pathways. 4. Foster a collaborative care environment. Multidisciplinary teams from all involved subspecialties are indispensable in ensuring all stakeholders in the thoracic oncology program have input into and knowledge of the ongoing needs of our patients. Help- ing patients navigate through the treatment journey is essential in timely diagnosis and treatment as recommended by national governing body guidelines. This unified approach prevents delays, reduces distress, and builds a foundation of trust that is es- sential for long-term health management and best outcomes. The latest report on screenings from the American Lung Association is alarming, es- pecially for Louisiana, but there is hope as well. Armed with these insights, we can em- brace our roles as leaders, educators, and partners to close the screening gap, improve patient outcomes, and demonstrate an un- wavering commitment to the health of our state. In Louisiana, the fight against lung cancer is truly a community endeavor. To- gether, we can build a future where more lives are saved through early detection, along with innovative, multidisciplinary, and personalized care. n REFERENCES 1 “Only 16% of Americans Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening Are Tested,” Respiratory Therapy, September 24, 2025, https://respiratory-therapy. com/disorders-diseases/cardiopulmonary-thoracic/ lung-cancer/16-percent-americans-lung-cancer- screening/. 2“StateofLungCancer,2024:Louisiana,”American Lung Association, https://www.lung.org/research/ state-of-lung-cancer/states/louisiana. 3 “State of Lung Cancer, 2024: Louisiana.” 4 "5-Year Survival Rates for Lung Cancer," American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer . org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection- diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.htm, accessed October 22, 2025. 5 “Only 16% of Americans.” Brad Vincent, MD, is a pulmonologist at Ochsner Medical Complex –The Grove.He earned amedical degree from LSU Health Shreveport. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charles- ton, where he also completed fellowship training in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He is board- certified in internal medicine, critical care medicine, and pulmonary medicine. confusion about the diagnostic process. 5 Both patient- and medical system–relat- ed barriers contribute to poor screening compliance. These barriers include lack of awareness of risk, fear of biopsy and other diagnostic procedures, incorrect smoking history estimates, and socioeconomic bar- riers to care. TheAmerican LungAssociation also con- ducted focus groups with caregivers and individuals living with lung cancer in an ef- fort to improve understanding the barriers to optimal lung cancer care. Results showed, for example, that patients often misunder- stand the term “watchful waiting” when a lung nodule is detected, which can increase fears about potential cancer progression. Also among the findings was significant vari- ability in how providers assessed whether a nodule was cancerous. People in the focus group and surveys wanted more transpar- ency and direction throughout the process. 5 As medical professionals, we are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change in this arena. The following are just several actionable recommendations to improve lung cancer screening and care for Louisi- ana residents: 1. Proactively identify and educate eligible patients. The medical community must be dili- gent in identifying patients who meet the screening criteria: adults aged 50 to 80 with a 20-pack per year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Aproactive identification process should be integrated into routine clinical practice; an accurate history is es- sential. Beyond identification, our role is to educate patients about the benefits of low- dose CT imaging, a simple and noninvasive