2023 North America Conference on Lung Cancer (NACLC) - Posters and Abstracts-PP01.102 (Poster) Appalachian Veterans Lung Cancer Screening Program

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Researchers from the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC implemented a lung screening program for a vulnerable rural Appalachian Veteran population. The program used electronic reminders to identify eligible patients during annual primary care visits, and nurse coordinators contacted and tracked screening participants. The researchers found a higher than expected prevalence of lung cancer in the first 16 months of the program, with 35 out of 1375 participants (2.5%) diagnosed with lung cancer. This is significantly higher than the 1.1% prevalence found in the first year of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). The researchers believe that the higher prevalence of lung cancer in their program justifies the use of low-dose helical computed tomography (LDCT) screening in high-risk regions and populations, such as Veterans with exposure risks. They also found that 66% of the detected lung cancers were in early stages, which suggests that the use of LDCT screening can lead to earlier detection and better overall survival. The researchers were able to provide short intervals from LDCT to diagnosis and treatment by utilizing a case management approach that allowed for expedited work-up. They also found that of those who had cancer, 43% had agent orange exposure and 26% had radiologic findings of interstitial lung disease. This highlights the importance of considering special factors, such as military exposures, when determining eligibility for lung cancer screening in US Veterans. Overall, the results of this study support the use of LDCT screening in high-risk populations and demonstrate the potential benefits of early detection and treatment of lung cancer.

Asset Subtitle

Jamie Partlow

Keywords

lung screening program

rural Appalachian Veteran population

electronic reminders

nurse coordinators

prevalence of lung cancer

low-dose helical computed tomography (LDCT) screening

high-risk regions

early detection

expedited work-up

military exposures