Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026
07:30
Electromagnetic Navigation Transthoracic Nodule Localization for Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Published on: May 4, 2022
3.7K
Design and Interim Recruitment Outcomes of a Multi-Modal, Multi-Level Patient Navigation Intervention for Lung Cancer
Marvella E Ford1,2,3, Louise Henderson4, Alison Brenner4,5
1Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Cancers
|November 27, 2025
Summary
This study tested a patient navigation intervention to increase lung cancer screening among Black individuals in the Southeastern U.S. The approach successfully addressed barriers like cost and insurance, aiming to reduce lung cancer mortality disparities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cancer Prevention
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with disproportionately high mortality rates among Black residents in Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
- Current lung cancer screening guidelines may not be covered by insurance for younger, non-Medicare eligible smokers, potentially exacerbating health disparities.
- Access to lung cancer screening remains a significant challenge for underserved populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal, multilevel, barrier-focused patient navigation intervention for promoting lung cancer screening.
- To increase lung cancer screening uptake among Black patients from federally qualified health centers in the Southeastern U.S.
- To address specific barriers to lung cancer screening, including cost, insurance coverage, and medical history.
Main Methods:
- The Southeastern Consortium for Lung Cancer Screening (SC3) Study, funded by Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C), employed a patient navigation intervention.
- The intervention targeted Black patients from federally qualified health centers in Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
- Data collection focused on participant demographics, smoking status, and reported barriers to lung cancer screening.
Main Results:
- Recruited 170 out of 675 targeted Black participants, with the majority aged 55-74.
- Identified key barriers including cost concerns, insurance coverage issues, and precluding medical history.
- The patient navigators actively addressed these identified barriers to facilitate screening.
Conclusions:
- The SC3 study established a unique lung cancer screening cohort, contrasting with previous predominantly White cohorts.
- A novel, community-engaged approach to lung cancer screening navigation was developed.
- This intervention shows potential as a model for high-risk, medically underserved populations to improve cancer health equity.
