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Online Program

321423
Vermonters' Opinions on Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

Erin Keller, BS, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Benjamin Albertson, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Eric Bennett, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Homer Chiang, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Mustafa Chopan, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Katherine Lantz, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Melanie Ma, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Rebecca Ryan, American Lung Association in Vermont, Williston, VT
Sharon Mallory, MPH, Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, VT
Thomas V. Delaney, PhD, Pediatrics, UVM College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
David Kaminsky, MD, Medicine-Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Jan K. Carney, MD, MPH, Medicine, Robert Larner MD College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Introduction. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Vermont; 90% of lung cancer is due to smoking. When lung cancer is detected early, patients can have better outcomes. In December 2013 the US Preventive Services Task Force released new guidelines for lung cancer screening. It recommended that current and former (within 15 years of smoking) smokers of 30 pack-years, between the ages 55-80, receive an annual low-dose CT scan (LD-CT) of the chest. 

Objective. Assess knowledge and attitudes toward lung cancer screening with LD-CT among Vermonters.

Methods. A 33-question survey was distributed to Burlington area doctors’ offices, smoking cessation groups, and pulmonary rehabilitation graduates. Additionally, a focus group (from a smoking cessation group) was conducted at a Winooski, Vermont Housing Authority Complex. 

Results. 87 individuals were surveyed of whom 65% were current or former smokers, mostly between the ages 55-79, and 59% female. If told by a doctor they were at risk for lung cancer, 80% would get screened. False positives and radiation exposure were not major deterrents from getting a LD-CT. Barriers included transportation to a healthcare facility, missing time from work, and cost. The focus group session revealed a lack of understanding about the significance of lung cancer staging and early detection. 

Conclusions. Education about the staging of lung cancer and the importance of early detection is needed. Physicians should play a more active role in counseling patients about smoking cessation and lung cancer. Similar approaches could be utilized in other states.  

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the benefits of low-dose CT scans in long-term heavy smokers. Describe an approach to gather data about public knowledge and attitudes towards low-dose CT scan screening.

Keyword(s): Tobacco Use, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I participated in the design, implementation, data collection, analysis and interpretation, writing, and presentation of the project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3135.0: The Role of Tobacco in Cancer Prevention and Screening: A Collaborative Session with the Cancer Forum and the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Section