WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-EP.16.07 Addressing Unmet Needs of the Lung Cancer Community: The Journey to Find and Implement Mind Over Matter

Pdf Summary

The Lung Cancer Community faces significant unmet psychosocial and physical needs, with patients experiencing high distress levels and limited access to supportive services. A patient advocacy organization in the U.S. identified that only 14% of needed psychosocial interventions are implemented, often taking up to 17 years to integrate into care. To address this gap, a literature review and stakeholder interviews led to the development of "Mind Over Matter" (MOM), a novel psychoeducational coping skills program designed for anyone affected by lung cancer, including patients, survivors, and caregivers.<br /><br />MOM is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and the physiology of stress and relaxation. It focuses on building coping skills rather than providing therapy, is suitable for virtual delivery, and carries low participant expectations to encourage engagement. Each session includes awareness exercises, relaxation techniques, educational lessons, and home practice.<br /><br />Implementation began in 2023 with leadership support and facilitator training. Participant recruitment started mid-2024, with four groups conducted between August 2024 and August 2025, registering 9 to 15 individuals per group. Completion rates improved over time, reaching up to 100% in the third group. Participants reported positive impacts, valuing the program content, peer interaction, and welcome calls, with testimonials highlighting the program’s helpfulness in managing lung cancer-related emotions and anxieties.<br /><br />Future plans include expanding MOM’s reach nationwide, analyzing its impact on lung cancer patients, developing tailored programs for caregivers, and assessing how welcome calls influence participant adherence. The initiative demonstrates a promising step toward filling critical psychosocial support gaps in the lung cancer community through accessible, evidence-based coping skill interventions.

Asset Subtitle

Maureen Rigney

Meta Tag

Speaker Maureen Rigney

Topic Patient Advocacy

Keywords

Lung Cancer

Psychosocial Needs

Mind Over Matter

Coping Skills Program

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Stress Management

Virtual Delivery

Patient Advocacy

Caregiver Support