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A brand new multi-site examine, revealed in JAMA, and co-led by researchers on the UNC Lineberger Complete Most cancers Heart and Wake Forest College College of Medication, has demonstrated {that a} direct-to-patient digital well being program can considerably enhance really helpful lung most cancers screening for high-risk people.
Lung most cancers is the main reason for cancer-related loss of life in the US, but solely about 20% of eligible people endure really helpful screening although early detection by screening can cut back the danger of lung most cancers loss of life, in keeping with the Nationwide Most cancers Institute.
Obstacles to screening embody challenges figuring out screening-eligible sufferers, which requires assessing lifetime smoking publicity. Different boundaries embody restricted consciousness of screening suggestions amongst sufferers and suppliers in addition to inadequate time for really helpful counseling and shared decision-making about screening throughout common major care visits.
“We wanted to see if we could overcome these barriers by reaching out to potentially eligible patients with an interactive digital program outside the usual outpatient visits,” mentioned Daniel S. Reuland, MD, MPH, professor of drugs on the UNC College of Medication and UNC web site lead for the examine.
“The goal was to help patients find out if they were eligible for screening and make an informed decision about screening. We also wanted to give eligible patients a way to connect with the specialized lung cancer screening program within the health system.”
The randomized medical trial enrolled 1,333 screening-eligible people with a historical past of smoking. Intervention members have been assigned to the mPATH-Lung on-line program, which included a short instructional video, determination help, and an choice to request a screening program appointment. Management members obtained a suggestion to debate screening with their major care clinician.
Key findings:
At 16 weeks, 25% of members utilizing mPATH-Lung accomplished a screening CT scan, in comparison with 17% within the management group.
Screening charges improved throughout all demographic and socioeconomic teams.
No issues have been reported from screening-related procedures.
“This study shows that this kind of digital outreach using the EHR portal or text messaging is a scalable way to make an impact on screening that can complement the care provided in regular face-to-face primary care visits,” mentioned Alison Brenner, Ph.D., affiliate professor of normal drugs and medical epidemiology on the UNC College of Medication and co-author on the examine. “We saw improvements across the board, including among populations that have historically faced disparities in access to screening.”
“We’re proud to be part of a team that’s translating research into real-world solutions for patients across North Carolina and beyond,” mentioned Reuland.
Extra info:
David P. Miller et al, A Direct-to-Affected person Digital Well being Program for Lung Most cancers Screening, JAMA (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2025.17281. jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/ … cle-abstract/2840346
Offered by
College of North Carolina at Chapel Hill College of Medication
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Digital well being outreach can enhance lung most cancers screening (2025, October 20)
retrieved 20 October 2025
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