Melinda Aldrich, PhD, MPH

Lung cancer screening helps find lung cancer early, when it is easier to treat. However, only 5%-18% of eligible people in the U.S. have ever been screened for lung cancer. There are many reasons so few people get screened, such as not knowing about screening, trouble getting to screening centers, and fears about the process. These challenges are even greater for people in rural areas and underserved communities. Usually, patients must receive a CT scan to get screened for lung cancer. To make screening easier, we will offer a simple blood test to help patients get screened. Blood tests are more familiar and easier for many people, which may encourage greater screening participation. Our study will evaluate if a blood test helps more people get screened for lung cancer. We will also ask patients and doctors how they feel about the blood-based test. By making lung cancer screening more accessible, we hope to save lives.