Abstract 6347A: Promotion of low-dose computed tomography for early-stage lung cancer detection
Authors: Gautam Shruti , DeVera Roberto E. , Patel Meet , Puri Neelu 
Published: June 2022

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In 2021, it is anticipated that there will be 235,760 cases and 131,880 deaths due to lung cancer in the US, accounting for close to 22% of all cancer related deaths. 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 at its early stages and decreased mortality rates attributed to the disease.

Study Design: This project harnessed the power of education, specifically through informational seminars and booths at community events, to promote LDCT screening in our community. 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 and October 2021, and we recorded the number and stage classifications of lung cancer cases detected as a result of these screenings. Lastly, we created a Facebook page (Northern Illinois Lung Cancer Screening Project) to continue promoting LDCT screening in a socially distanced manner.

Results: 16 seminars and 42 public awareness booths targeting an estimated 400 physicians and 2,000 smokers were conducted to increase knowledge of LDCT. 4,170 patients underwent LDCT screening at local hospitals during the timeframe of our study. 90 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer, with 50 cases being early stage. 1,264 additional individuals were found to have small lung nodules and are being followed up on in accordance with Lung RADS Criteria on pulmonary nodules detected using LDCT. These studies are being done in Boone, Ogle, and Stephenson Counties, which are also characterized by alarmingly high incidence and 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 2,177 people and garnered 176 engagements from Facebook users.

Conclusions: 50 local community members were diagnosed with early stage lung cancer, thus improving their prognosis and increasing therapy options. Physicians and smokers in the community are more educated on the clinical benefits of LDCT. These community-based studies are being expanded to surrounding areas, and new screening techniques are being implemented to expand the reach and effectiveness of our studies.

Citation Format: Shruti Gautam, Roberto E. DeVera IV, Meet Patel, 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 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 6347A.