Content Topic: Health Awareness

Health Awareness

Supporting Lung Cancer Patients and Carers Along the Treatment Pathway 

November 2025

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Empowering Patients and Carers Through Knowledge and Engagement 

Supporting individuals diagnosed with lung cancer and those who care for them is key throughout every stage of the lung cancer treatment pathway. To address this need, MSD in the UK, with the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (RCLCF), have co-created the booklet “Understanding Treatment Options in Lung Cancer: A Guide for Patients and Carers”.

This comprehensive resource is specifically designed to support Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) patients and their carers.

Lung cancer treatment pathways continue to evolve and can often seem complex or overwhelming. Navigating these pathways and having access to reliable and clear health information can enhance the experiences of both patients and carers1. 

The booklet draws on insights from individuals living with lung cancer and healthcare professionals connected to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (RCLCF). These perspectives have shaped a step-by-step companion guide to help patients and carers understand lung cancer treatment options. The booklet offers clear definitions, outlines treatment options, provides prompts for key questions to ask at each stage, and includes tick boxes to help track progress, with the aim to encourage active involvement and discussion in care.

The Importance of Involving Patients and Carers 

Research shows that when patients actively participate in their treatment decisions, outcomes and overall experiences improve2. A lung cancer diagnosis may bring forth a wide range of emotions, not only for the individual, but also for those who support them. The booklet encourages patients to communicate openly with their healthcare team and to seek out services that promote both their physical and emotional wellbeing. “Understanding Treatment Options in Lung Cancer” outlines the range of available treatments, including prehabilitation and rehabilitation.

At MSD in the UK, our commitment is to place patients at the heart of all we do. We aim to inspire patient communities to engage proactively with healthcare systems and empower them to advocate for their own health. This booklet was developed to provide patients and carers with the information and support they need to navigate the complexities of the lung cancer treatment pathway and to have informed, meaningful discussions about their care. 

1 The Patients Association. Advancing Health Equity Through CORE: A New Approach to Inclusive Communication. 2024; Available from: Advancing Health Equity Through CORE: A New Approach to Inclusive Communication | The Patients Association [Accessed October 2025] 

2 NHS England. Involving people in their own care. n.d.; Available from: NHS England » Involving people in their own care [Accessed October 2025] 

GB-NON-11709 | October 2025


Health Awareness

Supporting Carers in Lung Cancer

August 2024

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How can we support individuals who are caring for their loved ones with lung cancer? 

In collaboration with the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (RCLCF), MSD in the UK have developed a booklet specifically aimed at supporting and guiding individuals who are caring for their loved ones with lung cancer, often known as carers. A carer is someone who looks after a family member, partner, or friend that requires assistance and support during their lung cancer journey. The care they provide is unpaid and can involve practical or emotional support1. 

The booklet, ‘How can I support my loved one with Lung Cancer?’, contains valuable insights from Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s patient and carer volunteers. These insights provide information that they found useful when they or their loved ones received their diagnosis. Offering prompts for questions to ask at different stages of diagnosis and treatment, important definitions, and information about available support for carers, the booklet aims to empower individuals to effectively advocate for the needs and concerns of their loved ones throughout their lung cancer journey.  

This booklet has been fully funded and developed by MSD, with input from Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

Why carers?

According to research from the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC), a worldwide organisation representing those with lung cancer, many individuals with lung cancer rely on their family and friends for support2. These carers often take on various responsibilities, such as offering emotional support, accompanying their loved ones to medical appointments, asking questions during appointments, and providing practical assistance at home. However, these carers may require additional information and support to effectively fulfill their caregiving role. 

At MSD in the UK, we put patients at the centre of everything we do and it’s critical that we understand, respect, and honour the experiences of patients and those supporting them. We encourage patient communities to become their own health advocates, make informed decisions and be partners in engaging with the health care systems. This booklet was designed to equip those caring for their loved one with the necessary information to support and advocate for them throughout their lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

Lorraine Dallas, the Director of Prevention, Information & Support at the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, emphasises the importance of this guide in helping individuals cope with their loved one’s lung cancer diagnosis.

“When someone you love is diagnosed with lung cancer, it can feel overwhelming. This guide helps, giving the key information that you need to prepare yourself and support someone living with lung cancer.”

Lorraine Dallas, Director of Prevention, Information & Support, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

MSD is a Trusted Information Creator accredited by the Patient Information Forum. The PIF TICK logo assures readers that MSD’s health information production process adheres to ten criteria, including meeting the genuine needs of individuals, involving end-users in resource creation, and considering health inequalities. 

We would love suggestions on how we could do better and things we should do more of. Email our Medical Information team at: medicalinformationuk@msd.com.

1 NHS England. Who is considered a carer? n.d.; Available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/comm-carers/carers/ [Accessed January 2025]

2 2021 Patient Experience Survey. Global Lung Cancer Coalition. 2021; Available from: https://www.lungcancercoalition.org/surveys/2021-patient-experience-survey/ [Accessed January 2025]

GB-NON-10717 | January 2025