Journal article
Confronting nihilism and stigma in lung cancer: The nurse practitioner's role in restoring hope and trust
Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Vol.38(3), pp.146-153
03/01/2026
DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000001230
PMID: 41441726
Abstract
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States, yet profound advances in screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship have redefined what is possible for patients. Despite this progress, nihilism, fatalism, and stigma continue to shape public and professional perceptions, discouraging screening and delaying help-seeking. Nurse practitioners occupy a central and trusted position across the lung cancer continuum and are uniquely equipped to counter these barriers through compassionate, stigma-informed communication. This perspective article synthesizes current evidence to illuminate how nurse practitioners can translate empathy, equity, and behavioral science into tangible practice actions that reduce stigma and nihilism and instill compassion and hope. Key strengths—language, empathy, tobacco treatment integration, social context awareness, community engagement, and hope—form the “Permission to Hope” framework. By leveraging these strengths, nurse practitioners can transform everyday interactions into opportunities to rebuild trust, improve screening participation, and redefine what survivorship means in lung cancer care.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Confronting nihilism and stigma in lung cancer: The nurse practitioner's role in restoring hope and trust
- Creators
- Lisa Carter-Bawa - American Cancer SocietyTimothy J. Williamson - American Cancer SocietyNancy Alvey - American Cancer SocietyAbbie Begnaud - University of MinnesotaDannell Boatman - West Virginia UniversityDeborah P. Brown - American Cancer SocietyDeena Cook - American Cancer SocietyDusty Donaldson - High Point UniversityJill Feldman - American Cancer SocietyHeidi A. Hamann - American Cancer SocietyElla Kazerooni - University of MichiganLauren Kearney - Boston UniversityEugene Manley - American Cancer SocietyDrew Moghanaki - American Cancer SocietyJamie S. Ostroff - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterJames Pantelas - American Cancer SocietyElyse R. Park - Massachusetts General HospitalMaureen Rigney - Go2 for Lung CancerLauren Rosenthal - American Cancer SocietyElizabeth Scharnetzki - American Cancer SocietyJoan Shiller - American Cancer SocietyRobert A. Smith - American Cancer Society, National Lung Cancer Roundtable, Atlanta, GeorgiaAnne L. Stangl - American Cancer SocietyErica T. Warner - American Cancer SocietyDouglas E. Wood - University of WashingtonJamie L. Studts - University of Colorado Cancer Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Vol.38(3), pp.146-153
- DOI
- 10.1097/JXX.0000000000001230
- PMID
- 41441726
- NLM abbreviation
- J Am Assoc Nurse Pract
- ISSN
- 2327-6924
- eISSN
- 2327-6924
- Number of pages
- 8
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/01/2026
- Academic Unit
- Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985179801702771
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