Increasing lung cancer screening education among minoritized populations.

Abstract

e13740 Background: In 2024, lung cancer remained the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Low dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been shown to reduce lung-cancer mortality by 20% in high-risk populations. Only 5.8% of eligible individuals have undergone lung cancer screening (LCS). Of this 5.8%, only 1.7% are non-Hispanic Blacks and 0.7% are Hispanics, highlighting the disparities within LCS. Improving patient knowledge of LCS is essential to increase LCS utilization, thereby potentially reducing lung cancer deaths in vulnerable populations. Methods: 125 patients eligible for LCS based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) were consented and enrolled in an LCS education pilot study. Patients were educated about LCS via mailing of factsheets and invitations via phone from study personnel. Of the 125 enrolled, 89 agreed to be referred to the LCS program in coordination with their primary care provider (PCP). The primary aim of this study was to identify LCS eligible patients in a primary care clinic and refer them to an LCS program at a community hospital in Central Indiana. Our secondary aim was to assess patients’ LCS knowledge and barriers to LCS via surveys. Following agreement to LCS referral, 89 participants were contacted by phone to complete a 29-question survey. The survey was created by LCS experts F.D. and E.J. Results: Of the 89 participants, 18 individuals completed the survey. Among respondents, 61% were Black and 6% were Hispanic. Respondents had low education attainment, 28% graduated high school and 39% reached 12 grade or less. Half of the respondents reported an annual income of less than $14,999. Prior to enrollment, 56% of respondents had never heard of LCS. Following our intervention, 100% reported they believe LCS is important and could save their lives. After the intervention, respondents recalled eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening, with 89% correctly identifying eligible age range (50-80 years old), 94% identifying a minimum smoking history of 20 pack-years, and 100% identifying current smokers or those who have quit in the past 15 years. Respondents shared barriers to LCS, 39% cited anxiety about LDCT results and 22% reported difficulty scheduling LDCT. Respondents gave suggestions on improving screening rates among people of color with 88% preferring their PCP include LCS in discussions with other cancer screening such as breast and colon cancer screening and 83% requested more providers of color discussing LCS. Conclusions: This study showed that patient education outside of clinical spaces can improve patient knowledge of LCS and that implementation of patient education programs may increase screening in vulnerable populations. It also revealed barriers to LCS and patient suggestions on how to improve LCS rates. Further studies will need to be done to address the barriers identified and improve LCS uptake in underrepresented communities of color.