NAVIGATE - Improving Survival in Vulnerable Lung Cancer Patients Through Nurse Navigation, Symptom Monitoring and Exercise: Study Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Half of patients with lung cancer face a limited life span of one-year survival, which is characterized by severe physical and psychological symptoms. Differences in stage, comorbidity but also treatment may explain a large proportion of the social inequality in lung cancer survival. Some vulnerable patients may not receive first line treatment as planned either due to poor performance status or if they are not able to adhere to treatment appointments. Knowing how to navigate the health system may be a barrier preventing vulnerable patients in receiving optimal treatment. The primary aim of this randomised, controlled trial is to test whether a nurse-led individually tailored program including systematic screening of symptoms using PROs and a physical training program will significantly improve overall survival among vulnerable lung cancer patients compared with standard care. Secondary outcomes include adherence to cancer treatment, symptom burden and health related quality of life.
• Age ≥ 18 years of age
• Diagnosed with NSCLC at all stages regardless of treatment intension at the participating departments
• Performance status ≤ 2
• Vulnerable according to pre-defined criteria