Introduction The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated that screening high-risk patients with low-dose computed tomography (CT) of the chest reduces lung cancer mortality compared with screening with chest x-ray. Uninsured and Medicaid patients usually lack access to this hospital-based screening test because of geographic and socioeconomic factors. We hypothesized that a mobile screening unit would improve access and confer the benefits demonstrated by the NLST to this underserved group, which is most at risk of lung cancer deaths. Patients and Methods We created a mobile unit by building a Samsung BodyTom portable 32-slice low-dose CT scanner into a 35-foot coach; it delivers high-quality images for both soft tissue and bone and includes a waiting area and high-speed wireless internet connection for fast image transfer. The unit was extensively tested to show robustness and stability of mobile equipment. This project was designed to screen uninsured and underinsured patients, otherwise with eligibility criteria identical to that of the National Lung Screening Trial, with the only difference being exclusion of patients eligible for Medicare (which provides financial coverage for CT-based lung cancer screening). Results We screened 550 patients (20% black, 3% Hispanic, 70% rural) with a male-to-female ratio of 1.1:1, median age 61 years (range, 55–64), and found 12 lung cancers at initial screen (2.2%), including 6 at stage I–II (58% of total lung cancers early stage) and 38 Lung-RADS 4 (highly suspicious) lesions that are being followed closely. Incidental findings included nonlung cancers and coronary artery disease. Discussion In this initial pilot study, using the first mobile low-dose whole body CT screening unit in the U.S., the initial cancer detection rate is comparable to that reported in the NLST, despite excluding patients over the age of 64 years who have Medicare coverage, but with marked improvement of screening rates specifically in underserved sociodemographic, racial, and ethnic groups and with better outcomes than conventionally found in the underserved and at lower cost per case. Implications for Practice This study shows clearly that a mobile low-dose CT scanning unit allows effective lung cancer screening for underserved populations, such as impoverished African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, or isolated rural groups, and has a pick-up rate of 1% for early stage disease. If confirmed in a planned randomized trial, this will be policy changing, as these groups usually present with advanced disease; this approach will produce better survival data at lower cost per case.

Background: More than 60% of under-served patients with lung cancer first present with advanced/metastatic disease. Randomized trials have shown that LDCT of chest reduces lung cancer mortality but under-served populations have been excluded from these studies because of financial, geographic, insurance and access problems. We have tested the first mobile LDCT units and demonstrated improved access. We report a shift to earlier stage at diagnosis and potential cures in a large under-served population that includes African American, Hispanic/LatinX and Native American subjects. Methods: We developed two coaches fitted with portable 32 slice low-dose CT scanners to screen uninsured and under-served heavy smokers for lung cancer in an IRB-approved program ("The Oncologist", 2019). All films were reviewed by a central panel (using LUNG RADS protocol). Medicare patients were excluded because their insurance covers LDCT lung screening (but it should be noted that the elderly population is at increased risk for lung cancer, leading to a negative case selection bias). Results: We initially screened 1200 uninsured/under-insured subjects, mean age 61 years (range 55-64), with average pack year history of 47.8 (range 30- >150); 61% male; 18% Black, 3% Hispanic/LatinX, <1% Native American; 78% rural. We found 97 pts with LUNG RADS 4 (very high risk) lesions, 30 lung cancers (2.5%), including 18 at stage I-III treated with curative intent (60%); >50% had intercurrent cardiovascular disease and COPD seen on LDCT. We have additionally screened 574 cases, including 51 Native Americans (in a structured assessment of one tribe). Of the Native Americans, 5 had LUNG RADS 3-4 (high risk) lesions, but no cancers have been identified to date. For the total series of 1774 subjects with age-related negative case selection bias, 42 lung cancers have been identified (2.4%), 26 of which were treated with curative intent (62%) via surgery, radiation, or chemo-radiation. Only one patient of 18 treated with curative intent in the first series of 30 lung cancers has relapsed to date (median follow up 3 years, with 5 without evidence of disease beyond 3.5 years). These data confirm a shift to detection of early-stage lung cancer in this large under-served population, with an apparent potential for cure. Conclusion: Mobile LDCT yields a higher screening rate for under-served patients than prior hallmark trials, with a consequent shift to early-stage detection of lung cancer, with sustained treatment-induced complete remissions beyond 4 years. This approach could be applied to improve national lung cancer survival in the under-served. Citation Format: Derek Raghavan, Darcy Doege, Mellisa Wheeler, Kia Dungan, John Doty III, Glenn Hickman, Kathryn Mileham, Daniel Carrizosa. Screening under-served populations by mobile low dose computerized tomography (LDCT) scans results in stage shift with potential cures: Time for a change in health policy? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Precision Prevention, Early Detection, and Interception of Cancer; 2022 Nov 17-19; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2023;16(1 Suppl): Abstract nr PR006.

6507 Background: Randomized trials have proven that screening high-risk patients with LDCT of chest reduces lung cancer mortality compared to screening with chest x-ray. Under-served patients lack access to this test due to geographic and socio-economic factors. We hypothesized that a mobile screening unit would improve access and increase survival in this group, which is most at risk of lung cancer deaths. Methods: We installed a BodyTom portable 32 slice low-dose CT scanner (Samsung Inc) into a 35 foot coach (Frazier Inc), reinforced to avoid equipment damage during road travel. It includes waiting area, high speed wireless internet connection for rapid image transfer, and electronic tablets to deliver smoking cessation and health education programs and shared decision-making video aids. We used LUNG RADS approach to lesion classification, yielding high sensitivity and specificity in assessment. All films were reviewed by a central panel. This is certified as a lung cancer screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance. Protocol was approved by Advarra IRB. Medicare pts excluded as insurance covered them for LDCT, although this reduced potential number of cases diagnosed as this is highest risk population. Results: We screened 1200 uninsured or under-insured subjects, mean age 61 years (range 55-64), with average pack year history of 47.8 (30-150); 61% male; 18% Black, 3% Hispanic/Latino; 78% rural. We found 97 pts with LUNG RADS 4 lesions, 30 lung cancers (2.5%), including 15 at stage I-II treated with curative intent; 5 incidental non-lung cancers (renal CA 2, head & neck CA 1, pancreas CA 2); more than 50% with cardiovascular disease or COPD seen on LDCT. Of eligible first-screen subjects (J. Clin. Oncol., 2019, 37, 383S), 440 attended Year 1 repeat LDCT and 161 attended Year 2 LDCT. Only one pt with surgically resected CA lung has relapsed to date. Conclusions: Mobile LDCT yields higher screening rate for under-served pts than prior international studies, with strong protocol adherence and paucity of early cancer deaths in high-risk population with traditionally poor compliance.

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6567 Background: The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated that screening high-risk patients with low-dose CT (LDCT) of the chest reduces lung cancer mortality compared to screening with chest x-ray. Uninsured and Medicaid patients lack access to this hospital-based screening test due to geographic isolation/socio-economic factors. We hypothesized that a mobile screening unit would improve access and confer benefits demonstrated by the NLST to this under-served group, which is most at risk of lung cancer deaths. Methods: In collaboration with Samsung Inc, we inserted a BodyTom portable 32 slide low-dose CT scanner into a 35-foot coach, reinforced to avoid equipment damage, to function as a mobile lung scanning unit. The unit includes a waiting area, high speed wireless internet connection for rapid image transfer, and electronic tablets to deliver smoking cessation and health education programs and shared decision-making video aids. It has been certified as a lung cancer screening Center of Excellence by Lung Cancer Alliance. We employed the LUNG RADS approach to lesion classification, yielding high sensitivity and specificity in assessment. All films were reviewed by a central panel of oncologists, pulmonologists and radiologists. The protocol was approved by Chesapeake IRB, which oversees all LCI cancer trials. Interim analysis at this time was approved by the Oversight Committee. Results: We screened 470 under-served smokers between 4/2017-1/2019; M:F 1.1:1, mean age 61 years (range 55-64), with average pack year history of 45.7 (30-150) (25% African-American; 3% Hispanic; 65% rural; 100% uninsured, under-insured or Medicaid - NC Medicaid does not cover lung cancer screening). Patients over the age of 64 years were excluded as they are covered by Medicare for lung cancer screening. We found at initial screen 35 subjects with LUNG RADS 4 lesions, 49 subjects with LUNG RADS 3 lesions, 10 lung cancers (2.1%), including 4 at stage I-II. 4 non-lung cancers were identified and treated. Other incidental non-oncologic findings are the subject of another presentation. Conclusions: In this small sample using the first mobile low dose CT lung screening unit in the United States, the initial cancer detection rate is comparable to that reported in the NLST but with marked improvement of screening rates in underserved groups and with better anticipated outcomes at lower cost than if they had first presented with metastatic disease.