New lung cancer screening initiative looks to increase access to care

A new lung cancer screening initiative out of Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and CommUnityCare Health Centers, is working to overcome barriers to care for low-income, uninsured and minority populations in Central Texas. The effort aims to reduce disparities in lung cancer outcomes. The patient-first approach offers bilingual support, mailed outreach and no-cost screening for patients.

“Federally Qualified Health Centers like CommUnityCare serve a higher-risk population, making them great places to offer cancer screening and help people quit smoking,” Brandon Altillo, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine and population health at Dell Medical School and a provider at CommUnityCare, said in a news release. “But there are still significant barriers, including the cost of screening and limited access to specialists. Many patients also face stress from poverty, which can make it harder to focus on preventative care.”

The initiative was published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. More than 700 eligible patients aged 55 to 77 with at least a 20-year history of smoking, were identified in the program. From 2020 to 2023, team members from Dell Medical School implemented a multicomponent intervention, promoting equitable access to lung cancer screenings by intentionally removing any financial, language and logistical barriers.

Of the patients who agreed to the screening, 83% completed their low-dose CT scans. The report did not indicate any significant differences in completion rates across age groups, genders, races/ethnicities or insurance statuses. Nearly half (49%) of current smokers engaged in cessation counseling, and 31% of them reported that they were quitting smoking.

“Our focus was not just on increasing lung cancer screenings, but on ensuring that those most at risk – particularly those with financial or language barriers – could access care,” Altillo said. “This program demonstrates that with targeted interventions, we can close gaps in health care and save lives.”

According to the release, lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the U.S., with more than 125,000 deaths projected by the end of 2024. Black, low-income, and less-educated populations face even higher mortality rates. The program was funded by a grant from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas, and has plans to expand to more Texans, offering lung cancer screenings and smoking cessation support for high-risk communities across the state.