Lung Cancer Screening Initiatives
The American Lung Association is working to increase lung cancer screening rates in communities across the country.Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in America, but there is hope. Screening can help find lung cancer at an early stage when it may be easier to treat.
About the Lung Cancer Screening Initiatives
To increase lung cancer screening rates across the country, we are integrating public health equity best practices through:
- building awareness and reducing barriers to care
- increasing early-stage cancer diagnosis and early intervention,
- providing appropriate patient support for lung cancer screening referrals
- facilitating low-dose CT (LDCT) for all individuals who are considered at high risk for lung cancer.
Our Goals Are To:
Individuals at High Risk
To reflect the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and Medicare guidelines on lung cancer screenings, our audience includes individuals who are considered at high risk for lung cancer. To be considered eligible for a LDCT, individuals must meet all criteria listed below:
- 50 – 80 years of age (50-77 years of age for Medicare)
- Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (this means 1 pack a day for 20 years, or 2 packs a day for 10 years)
- AND, currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria or if this screening falls outside of your insurance coverage, we recommend that you talk with your primary care provider about any lung health concerns you may have.
Helping Communities
Our initiatives have made an impact across the country. Since FY22 our team has:
- Referred more than 36,000 eligible individuals to a lung cancer screening, with 80% following through with obtaining a LDCT. 67% of program participants diagnosed with lung cancer were diagnosed at an early stage.
- Enrolled 78% of eligible individuals who currently smoke (43%) in a cessation program.
- Partnered with 31 grant-funded health system and community-based organizations.
- Registered 44 health system staff for the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® Facilitator Training.
- Increased calls and referrals to Lung Health Navigators by 502% and supported over 594 individuals with barriers to care through patient financial assistance.
- Launched local comprehensive marketing and awareness campaigns, totaling more than 501M marketing and media impressions.
Programs & Support
Lung Health Navigators
Our Lung Health Navigators provide personalized support to individuals and their loved ones facing lung diseases like lung cancer, as well as lung cancer screening.
We help individuals navigate the healthcare system, understand their diagnosis, connect them with the right resources, and provide emotional support every step of the way.
- Determine your eligibility for screening, or address any eligibility concerns
- Help locate a screening center near you
- Support you in scheduling your screening and provide follow ups after your screening
- Help you with transportation assistance to/from screening appointment
- Support on insurance coverage, or if no insurance, guide you through insurance coverage options
- Refer you to free tobacco cessation services, if requested
Note: options to cover certain expenses may be available due to educational grants; let us determine based on which state you are from.
Tobacco Cessation Integration
The Lung Association offers a variety of tools, resources, and support to individuals quit tobacco use.
- There’s a Freedom From Smoking® option for every person and every setting. Freedom From Smoking® program has helped hundreds of thousands of Americans end their addiction to nicotine and begin new tobacco-free lives.
- The American Lung Association Lung Helpline and Tobacco Quitline offers one-on-one telephone counseling services with certified tobacco treatment specialists.
- Don’t know where to start? View our how-do guide to help you on the path to quitting for good!
Current Initiatives
Our Lung Health Navigator services are available nationwide; however, the map below stays up to date with current and ongoing Lung Cancer Screening Initiatives, and any patient assistance resources that may be available locally through educational grants.
For any questions about the American Lung Association’s Lung Cancer Screening Initiatives, email the project team at LCS@Lung.org.
Resources and Toolkits
Funding made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
