Abstract C117: West Virginia Lung Cancer Project
Authors: Kennedy-Rea Stephenie K , Chambers Shonta , Hixenbaugh Lauren 
Published: September 2020

Introduction: WVU Cancer Institute’s Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) and the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is working to address lung cancer disparities in West Virginia (WV). Their goal is to decrease lung cancer mortality, the leading cause of cancer deaths in WV, and improve early diagnosis of lung cancer in the state.

Brief Description: In 2016 there was no infrastructure for lung cancer screening in WV. The rural state’s significant geographic barriers, low socioeconomic status, lack of lung cancer screening facilities, and limited provider knowledge regarding screening guidelines created substantial challenges.

The major aim of the WV Lung Cancer Project (WVLCP) is to increase lung cancer screening among low-income and limited resourced individuals across WV. The project has three primary components: provider outreach and engagement; patient awareness and education; and case management support.

Summary of Data: The WVLCP initially developed a case management (CM) protocol with one of the major Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCO) in the state in order to reach those eligible for screening and navigate them to primary care providers for care. The result of protocol implementation was the identification of lack of provider knowledge. The team then surveyed health care providers to further assess their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding lung cancer screening. The results indicated a need for education on the screening guidelines, including recommended test, frequency, eligibility, and insurance coverage. As a result, project staff provided academic detailing to health care providers and created a continuing education webinar.

Beyond the need to enhance health care provider understanding, there was a need to educate the public about lung cancer screening and the location of services. To enhance patient awareness and education, the project established and promoted the WV Lung Cancer CareLine and participated in community education events.

Between 2016 and 2019, American College of Radiology (ACR) screening facilities increased from five to 24 sites. The WVLCP was able to facilitate the addition of 12 sites to the ACR Registry by working one-on-one with various health care entities during this time.

Two of the MCOs fully implemented the CM protocol. Thousands of patients were assessed, hundreds referred to a primary care provider, tens were screened, and two cases of lung cancer were found. As a result, both companies incorporated the protocol into their operations and have case managers contacting patients to reduce barriers to screening.

Conclusion: By partnering with care providers, the public, and health insurance payors, the project has expanded the lung cancer screening infrastructure in WV. As the project concludes in 2019, the state’s comprehensive cancer coalition, Mountains of Hope, will work to promote lung cancer screening in WV and continue the efforts of PAF and the WVUCI.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Stephenie K Kennedy-Rea, Shonta Chambers, Lauren Hixenbaugh. West Virginia Lung Cancer Project [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr C117.