2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (Posters)-EP04.06. Impact of a Navigational Program on Lung Cancer Screening at a Community Health Center Serving an Urban Diverse Population

EP04.06. Impact of a Navigational Program on Lung Cancer Screening at a Community Health Center Serving an Urban Diverse Population - PDF(Abstract)

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This study examines the impact of a navigational program on lung cancer screening at a community health center serving an urban diverse population. Lung cancer is a significant cause of cancer death globally, and annual lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scans has been shown to reduce mortality. However, the implementation of screening programs remains low in the US, including in Rhode Island. This study aimed to increase awareness of lung cancer screening and overcome barriers to screening in an underserved population.<br /><br />The researchers integrated a trained, tri-lingual navigator into a primary care practice starting in January 2022. The navigator's role included identifying eligible patients, notifying doctors, providing patient education, and assisting with the screening process. The study collected baseline demographic data on eligible patients and compared lung cancer screening rates before and after the navigational program.<br /><br />The results showed that in 2022, 24% of eligible patients underwent a low-dose CT scan after counseling and shared decision making. This was a significant increase compared to previous years, where only 3% (in 2020) and 7.5% (in 2021) of eligible patients underwent screening. The eligible population was between 50-80 years of age with a smoking history.<br /><br />The study also found that the majority of the eligible population were non-English speaking and resided in areas with low per-capita incomes. However, despite having a tri-lingual navigator, there was a higher proportion of English-speaking patients in the group that completed the CT scans.<br /><br />Overall, the study highlights the positive impact of a patient navigation program in increasing lung cancer screening rates in a community health center. The implementation of a navigational program led to a significant increase in the number of low-dose CT scans ordered and completed. These results suggest the potential benefits of advocacy for lung cancer screening in underserved populations with access to primary care and health insurance.

Asset Subtitle

Hina Khan

Meta Tag

Speaker Hina Khan

Topic Screening & Early Detection: Recruitment & Screening Uptake

Keywords

navigational program

lung cancer screening

community health center

urban diverse population

low-dose CT scans

mortality reduction

underserved population

tri-lingual navigator

patient education

screening rates