Mobile Screening Units Aim To Increase Access to Cancer Screening
Moffitt Cancer Center’s mobile lung cancer screening unit travels into surrounding communities to offer low-dose CT scans.
For those screened on the unit, imaging results are typically available within five days. If suspicious nodules are detected, a Moffitt team member will reach out to the individual to discuss further evaluation.
At the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, Matthew Schabath, PhD, an epidemiologist at Moffitt who focuses on lung cancer, presented his research analyzing potential barriers to community utilization of mobile screening units.
In the study, 218 people who either underwent a cancer screening at Moffitt or visited Moffitt and met current lung cancer screening guidelines completed a brief survey. The survey collected information on health behaviors, barriers, screening preferences and demographics.
“Hearing directly from the community, especially those who utilize preventative services such as lung cancer screening, is a pivotal step in implementing any sort of new approach to delivering health care so we identify barriers that may impact its utilization,” Schabath said.
Increasing Screening Participation
According to Schabath, the study found that 62% of participants indicated they would be more likely to get screened if a voucher or insurance covered the cost. An indoor waiting area was preferred by 61% of respondents, and 60% were willing to wait 15 to -30 minutes to be screened.
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62%
Of participants indicated they would be more likely to get screened if a voucher or insurance covered the cost
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61%
Of participants preferred an indoor waiting area opposed to waiting outdoors
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58%
Reported being highly likely to get screened if the service was available close to home
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88%
Reported they would undergo screening if recommended by their physician
Furthermore, 58% reported being highly likely to get screened if the service was available close to home, and 88% reported they would undergo screening if recommended by their physician.
Current Screening Guidelines
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual lung cancer screenings with low-dose CT scans for people age 50 and older who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and who currently smoke cigarettes or quit within the last 15 years. A pack-year is equal to smoking one pack per day for one year, or two packs per day for half a year.
Despite recommendations, only 16% of those who are eligible for lung cancer screening get screened, compared to a 76% screening rate for breast cancer and 67% for colon cancer.
Next Steps
Overall, the study showed that mobile lung cancer screening is broadly acceptable, with preferences including indoor waiting, short waits, proximity to home, clear cost coverage, and streamlined clinician recommendations.
“Mobile screening units allow health care providers and facilities to increase their capacity outside of fixed clinics, which is particularly important in areas without an infrastructure for or access to cancer screening services,” Schabath said.
