Lung Cancer: Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment and Supportive Care
A Six-hour Interprofessional Symposium for Healthcare Workers
Saturday, December 12
8:45 am – 4:30 pm (ET)
Cost:
- Eligible 1199SEIU members: No out-of-pocket costs
- All other participants: $150
Live Webcast (Internet)
The deadline to register for this event is Friday, December 11, noon.
Program Moderator
Sandip Saha, MD
Program and Learning Objectives
8:45 am — Participants log in
9:20 am — Welcome and introductory remarks
9:30 am — Lung Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Modalities
Presenter:
Sandip Saha, MD
Descriptive Summary:
Lung cancer is the number one cause of all cancer deaths worldwide. Lung cancer screening uses a fast, painless LDCT imaging test to find tumors before they advance and treatment options may be limited. The U.S. Preventative Services Task force recommends screening for people who are between ages 50 and 80, have had a 20 pack-year or longer smoking history, are actively smoking or have quit smoking within the past 15 years. In addition to malignancies, LDCT tests can reveal other issues, such as an active infection, prior infection in the form of a scar, radiation effects or autoimmune disease. This presentation will focus on identifying those patients who should be screened, explaining how to diagnose and stage lunch cancer, and understanding screening reports and the different types of lung masses and nodules.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify patients who qualify for screening;
- Understand what low dose screening CT reports mean;
- List different types of nodules and lung masses; and
- Describe how to diagnose and stage lung cancer.
10:30 am — Diagnosis: How to Formulate a Treatment Plan
Presenter:
Azam Ghafoor, MD
Descriptive Summary:
This presentation will explore the diagnostic evaluation of lung cancer and the development of an individualized, evidence-based treatment plan. Participants will review the importance of confirming a diagnosis, determining histologic subtype and disease stage, interpreting molecular and biomarker testing, and evaluating patient-specific factors that influence treatment selection. The presentation will also address multidisciplinary collaboration, shared decision-making, timely referral to specialists, and the integration of supportive and palliative care to optimize patient outcomes and quality of life.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify the key diagnostic procedures used to confirm lung cancer, including imaging, tissue biopsy, histopathologic evaluation and disease staging;
- Differentiate major lung cancer types and stages and explain how these findings influence treatment planning;
- Describe the role of molecular profiling and biomarker testing, including PD-L1 assessment, in guiding individualized treatment decisions;
- Discuss treatment-planning considerations for surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy based on disease characteristics and patient factors; and
- Recognize the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, patient preferences, timely specialist referrals and supportive care in developing a comprehensive treatment plan.
11:30 am — New and Approved Drug Therapy for Lung Cancer Patients
Presenter:
Michael Liu, PharmD, MBA, BCCCP, BCNSP, BCPS
Descriptive Summary:
The presentation provides an overview of the rapidly evolving biomarker-driven treatment landscape for lung cancer, with an emphasis on advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer. Participants will discuss how treatment selection integrates histology, disease stage, molecular alterations, PD-L1 status and patient-specific factors, and learn about the importance of comprehensive next-generation sequencing before systemic therapy. The presentation will also review newer FDA-approved targeted therapies for alterations, including EGFR, ALK, ROS1, MET, RET, BRAF, NTRK, KRAS G12C, HER2 and NRG1, as well as newer treatment approaches such as antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Interpret molecular and clinical characteristics of lung cancer to select an FDA-approved systemic therapy for a patient with an actionable biomarker;
- Analyze recent clinical-trial evidence and FDA labeling to distinguish appropriate first-line versus subsequent-line therapy in NSCLC;
- Apply pharmacist assessment and monitoring principles to prevent, identify and manage clinically important toxicities from newer lung-cancer therapies; and
- Apply patient-specific factors to safely implement newer immunologic and targeted therapies, including bispecific T-cell engagers and antibody-drug conjugates.
12:30 pm — Lunch Break
1:30 pm — Treatment: Care During and after Surgery
Presenter:
Ted Marks, PT, DPT
Descriptive Summary:
This presentation will provide information for a range of disciplines working with candidates for lung surgery. Participants will discuss choosing pertinent topics for education, determining appropriate levels of activity and employing well-chosen breathing techniques in the context of preconditioning, acute care and post-operative recovery.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify resources to aid someone preparing to undergo lung surgery;
- Suggest appropriate breathing techniques for every stage of preparation for and recovery from lung surgery;
- Understand the importance of positioning, mobility and airway clearance in acute care following surgery; and
- Suggest activities to speed recovery and return to full function following lung surgery.
2:30 pm — Psychosocial Care for Cancer Diagnosis: How to Provide Support and Assistance to Patients and Family
Presenter:
Athena Motal, PhD, LCSW-R
Descriptive Summary:
A lung cancer diagnosis introduces profound psychological, emotional and social challenges for both patients and their primary caregivers. This presentation will focus on understanding how to provide psychosocial support to lung cancer patients and caregivers by examining the impact of a diagnosis across the illness trajectory, including how stress, anxiety, depression and caregiver burden affect quality of life. Participants will explores how the four core bioethical principles—Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, and Justice—serve as a guide for social workers, nurses, physicians and allied health professionals who are bound by common ethical principes.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Understand the impact of a lung cancer diagnosis on the patient and caregiver;
- Apply the bio-ethical principles of Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-Maleficence and Justice that serve as a practical compass for an interdisciplinary team to deliver compassionate care; and
- Integrate the ethical framework into clinical workflows that deliver ethically grounded, empathic and holistic psychosocial care for both the patient and caregiver.
3:30 pm — Nutrition and Supportive Care in Patients with Lung Cancer: Managing Treatment Side Effects, Maintaining Nutrition Status and Improving Quality of Life
Presenter:
Michelle Daria, MS, RD, CDN
Descriptive Summary:
This presentation will examine the nutritional challenges experienced by patients with lung cancer and the role of nutrition in supporting treatment tolerance, recovery and quality of life. Participants will explore the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition, its impact on fatigue, hospitalization, treatment completion and clinical outcomes, and the importance of early nutritional screening and assessment. The presentation will highlight practical, evidence-based strategies to help patients maintain adequate calorie and protein intake; manage treatment-related side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite, taste changes and difficulty swallowing; and recognize when referral to a registered dietitian is needed.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify the prevalence and key risk factors of malnutrition in patients with lung cancer;
- Recognize the clinical impact of malnutrition on lung cancer trajectories, including increased fatigue, higher hospitalization rates, reduced treatment completion and shorter survival;
- Implement early and routine nutritional screening and baseline assessments to identify high-risk patients who require a referral to a registered dietitian; and
- Apply strategies to help lung cancer patients eat enough food.
4:30 pm – Program ends
Accreditation
CASACs
An application has been submitted to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services for six (6) clock hours.
Clinical Laboratory Practitioners
This continuing medical laboratory education activity is recognized by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) for six (6) CMLE credits. ASCP CMLE credits are acceptable for the ASCP Board of Registry Certification Maintenance Program.
Dietitians/Dietetic Technicians
An application has been submitted to the Commission for Dietetic Registration (CDR) for six (6) continuing education units.
Imaging Technologists
An application has been submitted to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) for Category A continuing education credits. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) accepts ASRT Category A credits.
LPNs/RNs/Nurse Practitioners
This course is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing for six (6) continuing education credits.
Medical Records Coders
An application has been submitted to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for six (6) continuing education credits.
Occupational Therapists/Occupational Therapy Assistants
An application has been submitted to the New York State Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (NYSOTA) for contact hours (NY licensees only).
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
The New York State Council of Health-system Pharmacists (NYSCHP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
- Module A (AM): This course, 0134-0000-26-194-L01-P; 0134-0000-26-194-L01-T, is approved for 0.3 CEUs (3 contact hours).
- Module B (PM): This course, 0134-0000-26-195-L01-P; 0134-0000-26-195-L01-T, is approved for 0.3 CEUs (3 contact hours).
Statements of Continuing Pharmacy Education Credit are available to participants upon the conclusion of the program through survey links. Participants have 45 days from the date of the program to claim credits and must verify attendance at the meeting by entering the program CE code.
Physical Therapists/Physical Therapy Assistants
An application has been submitted to the New York Physical Therapy Association (NYPTA) for contact hours (NY licensees only).
Respiratory Therapists
An application has been submitted to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) for six (6) continuing education credits.
Social Workers
The 1199SEIU League Training and Upgrading Fund SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers under provider #0286. Licensed NYS Social Workers are required to provide their NYS license number to receive certificate of credit. This course is approved for six (6) continuing education hours.
All Other Healthcare Professionals
You will receive a general certificate of attendance. Please check with your accreditation board with respect to receiving credit for this program.
Presenters:
Sandip Saha, MD
Chief of Interventional Pulmonology, Associate Professor, Buffalo General Hospital, Jacobs School of Medicine
Azam Ghafoor, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York
Michael Liu, PharmD, MBA, BCCCP, BCNSP, BCPS
Assistant Dean of Clinical and Professional Affairs, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Touro College of Pharmacy, Touro University
Ted Marks PT, DPT
Board-Certified Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy Department, Touro University
Athena Motal, PhD, LCSW-R
Assistant Professor, Touro University Graduate School of Social Work
Michelle Daria, MS, RD, CDN
Registered Dietitian, Catholic Charities, and Outpatient Dietitian, Erie County Medical Center
Eligibility for 1199SEIU Members
Training and Employment Fund Members
Members must have been a part-time or full-time employee for at least one year, work at least three-fifths of a regular workweek, and work for an employer who contributes to the 1199SEIU League Training and Upgrading Fund or the 1199SEIU Greater New York Education Fund.
City of New York Education, Child and Eldercare Fund Members
Pharmacists, Dietitians, Clinical Laboratory Practitioners and LPNs must have worked with NYC Health + Hospitals or a mayoral agency for at least one year.
Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund members
Members must have been a part-time or full-time employee for at least one year and work for an employer who contributes to the 1199SEIU/Hospital League Health Care Industry Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund.
For Further Information
Email: Institute@1199Funds.org
Refund and Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel, you must do so at least 48 hours before the program date to avoid a penalty. To cancel, contact the 1199SEIU League Training and Upgrading Fund (TUF) by telephone, (212) 894-4390; fax, (212) 643-8795; or email, Institute@1199Funds.org. TUF reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a program in the event of insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances. Participants will be notified and given the option of receiving a refund or attending the rescheduled program or an alternate program.
