2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - ePosters-EP.04A.12 Exploring Rural Appalachian Community Perceptions and Practices on Health and Lung Cancer to Inform Screening Interventions

EP.04A.12 Exploring Rural Appalachian Community Perceptions and Practices on Health and Lung Cancer to Inform Screening Interventions

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The "Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative," a collaborative effort led by the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) and the Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance, aims to improve lung cancer screening rates in the rural Appalachian region. Supported by the White House's Cancer Moonshot and funded by AstraZeneca, this multi-year program seeks to address significant screening barriers in high-risk areas such as Pike County, Kentucky, and Buchanan County, Virginia.<br /><br />To understand community-specific perceptions and practices around health and lung cancer, ACCC conducted virtual group interviews in 2023. These sessions were held with 16 participants, including healthcare professionals, public health workers, community organization staff, and a politician. The discussions revealed that while rural communities are tightly-knit and have strong values, they face structural barriers like transportation, cost, and fear that hinder access to lung cancer screenings. Additionally, lack of knowledge, smoking stigma, and logistical challenges such as taking time off work also contribute to low screening rates.<br /><br />Motivators for seeking healthcare include family planning and recommendations by healthcare providers. The initiative's findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions that leverage media, family, and trusted community members to enhance awareness and uptake of lung cancer screenings. Moreover, solutions proposed to improve screening uptake include community outreach, free screenings, increased accessibility, convenient locations, transportation assistance, and leveraging social networks.<br /><br />Overall, these tailored interventions and strategies aim to better engage and support rural communities in overcoming barriers to lung cancer screening, ultimately enhancing early detection and improving health outcomes in these vulnerable populations.

Asset Subtitle

michael gieske

Meta Tag

Speaker michael gieske

Topic Screening and Early Detection

Keywords

Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative

Association of Cancer Care Centers

Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance

Cancer Moonshot

AstraZeneca

lung cancer screening

rural communities

screening barriers

healthcare access

community outreach