Confronting nihilism and stigma in lung cancer: The nurse practitioner's role in restoring hope and trust

Authors

Lisa Carter-Bawa, Center for Discovery and Innovation at Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey.
Timothy J. Williamson, Stigma and Nihilism Task Group, American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, Atlanta, Georgia.
Nancy Alvey, Stigma and Nihilism Task Group, American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, Atlanta, Georgia.
Abbie Begnaud, Stigma and Nihilism Task Group, American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, Atlanta, Georgia.
Dannell Boatman, Stigma and Nihilism Task Group, American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, Atlanta, Georgia.
Deborah P. Brown, Stigma and Nihilism Task Group, American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, Atlanta, Georgia.
Deena Cook, Stigma and Nihilism Task Group, American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, Atlanta, Georgia.
Dusty Donaldson, Stigma and Nihilism Task Group, American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, Atlanta, Georgia.
Elizabeth Scharnetzki, MaineHealth

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-24-2025

Institution/Department

Center for Interdisciplinary Population and Health Research

Journal Title

Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners

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.

Recommended Citation

Carter-Bawa, Lisa; Williamson, Timothy J.; Alvey, Nancy; Begnaud, Abbie; Boatman, Dannell; Brown, Deborah P.; Cook, Deena; Donaldson, Dusty; and Scharnetzki, Elizabeth, "Confronting nihilism and stigma in lung cancer: The nurse practitioner's role in restoring hope and trust" (2025). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 4247.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/4247