Written by Jackie Fenemore, Josie Roberts and Vanessa Beattie, ‘The Role of a Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist’ explains how access to a LCNS can improve the patient experience and improve outcomes for people with lung cancer.

The article has been published in the 2020 edition of the Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences, and is available from Science Direct here. 

The role of the Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (LCNS) is vital to all patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Having access to a LCNS can improve the patient experience and improve outcomes for people with lung cancer. The role of the LCNS is vast and varied and rarely do LCNS’ do the same job across the patient pathway, but adapt to the local service need.

Core responsibilities for the LCNS consist of expert communication around lung cancer, information giving and leadership. Extended roles include non medical prescribing and telephone and clinical nurse-led services. The scope of the LCNS is always changing as outcomes and life expectancy for people living with lung cancer improve.