Abstract 2607: Promotion of low-dose computed tomography for early-stage lung cancer detection

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In 2019, 23.5% of deaths from cancer in the United States were attributed to lung cancer, a greater proportion than those from breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers combined. Lung cancer's high mortality rate is largely due to the fact that approximately 75% of new cases are diagnosed in late stages. On a local level, Winnebago County has 17% higher incidence and mortality rates due to lung cancer than the corresponding national rates. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is a valuable lung screening technique that utilizes 90% less ionizing radiation than a conventional chest CT scan.

Hypothesis/Aims: Increased awareness of LDCT in clinical and community settings will lead to increased detection of lung cancer in early stages and decreased mortality.

Study Design: We spread information on the new U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines to both smokers and physicians in Winnebago County. We evaluated the number of LDCT screenings in Winnebago County between June 2015-March 2019, and recorded the number and stage classifications of lung cancer cases detected after these screenings. We also surveyed physicians and smokers on their likelihood of recommending LDCT to others after our seminars. Lastly, we created a Facebook page (Northern Illinois Lung Cancer Screening Project) to continue promoting LDCT screening in a socially distanced manner.

Results: 15 seminars and 37 public awareness booths targeting an estimated 300 physicians and 1,450 smokers were conducted to increase knowledge of LDCT. 2,076 patients underwent LDCT screening at local hospitals. 28 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer, with 17 cases being early stage. 1,000 additional individuals were found to have small lung nodules. According to our surveys, 100% of attendees felt motivated to tell others about LDCT screening after attending our seminars. These studies are also being extended to Boone, Ogle, and Stephenson Counties, which have high incidence of mortality rates attributed to lung cancer. In an alternative effort to promote lung cancer screening in Northern Illinois, we created a Facebook page where we publish posts weekly and have reached over 1109 people and garnered 142 engagements from users.

Conclusions: 17 local community members were diagnosed with early stage lung cancer, thus improving their prognosis and increasing therapy options. These community-based studies are being expanded to surrounding areas to expand the reach and effectiveness of our studies.

Citation Format: Monica Saravana Vela, Joseph Berei, Katrina Dovalovsky, Shylendra Sreenivasappa, Joseph Ross, Luigi Moruzzi, Sandra Martell, William Schulz, Neelu Puri. Promotion of low-dose computed tomography for early-stage lung cancer detection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2607.