Author of

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  P3.24 - Poster Session 3 - Supportive Care (ID 160)

  • Event: WCLC 2013
  • Type: Poster Session
  • Track: Supportive Care
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:
  • Coordinates: 10/30/2013, 09:30 - 16:30, Exhibit Hall, Ground Level

  • 12874

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    P3.24-021 - Advancing Lung Cancer Early Detection: The Role of the Patient Advocacy Charity in Outreach and Education in Support of Responsible Screening (ID 1464)

    09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): A. Copeland
    • Abstract

    Background
    Since the validation of CT screening for lung cancer in 2010 in the United States by the National Cancer Institute’s National Lung Screening Trial, several well-respected professional societies have endorsed lung cancer screening and developed guidelines using low dose CT (LDCT). Despite this progress, adoption of lung cancer screening has been slow to advance. In 2011, in recognition of the importance of screening for lung cancer in a responsible way, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) convened a panel to review current evidence and develop a framework document to educate the public about their risk and guide healthcare professionals developing screening programs. This began a multi-year strategy to ensure responsible screening through a process of outreach, education and data collection with the goals of raising public awareness about the risks and benefits of screening and contributing to the refinement of screening guidelines and risk definitions. The focus of this abstract is the process of outreach and education as development of a data collection system is still in progress.

    Methods
    The National Framework for Excellence in Lung Cancer Screening and Continuum of Care was developed to educate consumers about rights, guide responsible screening center development and lay the groundwork for a data collection strategy. A list of screening Centers of Excellence was developed based on commitment to the National Framework guiding principles. Outreach to additional centers continues. A multi-pronged approach was adopted. A national media campaign focused on understanding lung cancer risks and the value of early detection. Educational materials were developed to educate those at risk about various aspects of screening. Center coordinators received regular communication about educational opportunities related to screening, journal articles and other information of interest. A needs assessment of existing centers was carried out to understand implementation challenges and identify what role LCA can play in addressing them. A network of center coordinators willing to talk with other coordinators about specific programmatic challenges was developed.

    Results
    At the time of submission, there were 90 centers on the LCA Screening Centers of Excellence list with an additional 50 centers identified for outreach. Regular communication occurs between LCA and the coordinators. Based on needs assessment results, tools have been developed to help coordinators learn from each other. Future goals include developing webinars and other ways to address challenging issues faced by centers and evaluation of these approaches.

    Conclusion
    Charities can play an important role in supporting the development of responsible lung cancer screening, as is evidenced by the actions of LCA in the United States. Because charities are well-connected to those at risk for lung cancer and to lung cancer treatment programs, they are ideal parties to be involved in furthering adoption of programs and behaviors. By identifying the barriers to adoption of responsible lung cancer screening and helping develop strategies to address them, lung cancer advocacy charities are a valuable partner in the effort to raise awareness of the risk for lung cancer and ensure that screening is done responsibly.