Adherence to Follow Up Recommendations in a Large Lung Cancer Screening Program
Introduction
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual lung cancer screening for adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years. Lung cancer screening with low dose CT helps detect cancer at the early stage when it is easier to treat. However, patients must follow up with recommended annual or interval scans to receive the full benefit of lung cancer screening. Our CPRIT funded lung cancer screening program (PP180025, PP210042) utilizes nurse navigation to ensure high adherence to annual and interval scans.
Methods
We reviewed adherence to annual and follow-up scans for patients between May 2018 and May 2023. Groups were compared by smoking status and rurality for both annual follow up and follow up after an abnormal result. Similarly, we evaluated adherence to at least three steps in the screening process to review overall program adherence.
Results
With more than 1,400 individuals participating in the program we have a large cohort to review trends in adherence. We continue to see high rates of adherence year over year for both annual screening and follow up after abnormal results with some patients completing five annual screenings through the LSPAN program.
Conclusion
Navigation in a large, rural, lung cancer screening program has a positive impact on adherence to recommended follow up for both normal and abnormal lung screenings.