Saving Lives during Black History Month: Lung Association Offers Free Lung Cancer Screenings to Illinois Residents

February is Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. It is also a time to increase awareness of health disparities that disproportionately impact the Black community, such as lung cancer screening and diagnosis rates.  

Black Illinoisans face the highest rates of lung cancer compared to any other racial/ethnic group. The American Lung Association (Lung Association) is offering free lung cancer screenings to Illinois residents. If lung cancer is found and treated in its early stages, it can be treated and even cured, which is why early detection is key.  

“Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in this country, accounting for more than 20% of cancer deaths, with the death rate being significantly higher among Black men.  Getting screened and knowing your risk can save thousands of lives by improving treatment outcomes,” said Mikayla Pittman, Manager, Nationwide Health Promotions for the Lung Association. “We urgently need to increase screening rates and continue to address lung cancer disparities, which the Illinois Lung Cancer Screening Initiative seeks to do.”

Illinois is in the top ten of states with the highest rate of new lung cancer cases for Black men and Black women with a rate of 78.7 cases per 100,000 people for Black men and 56.1 rate for Black women. Black men and women are significantly less likely than white men and women to be diagnosed at an early stage, before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and is harder to treat. They also have lower lung cancer survival rates than white men and women.  

Individuals statewide who may have risk factors for lung cancer are urged to participate in the lung cancer screening program, which runs through the end of June. Under the program, participants can call a Lung Health Navigator at 844-ALA-LUNG to find out if they are eligible for a lung cancer screening. If they are eligible, the Lung Association will support callers by providing information on nearby screening centers along with guidance on how to obtain a referral from their doctor. Assistance in understanding insurance coverage is also available.

A Navigator will be able to assist with financial barriers to care by covering the outstanding balance of the lung cancer screening in addition to arranging a free ride to the screening location, if necessary.

The scans are covered by most insurance plans. However, if participants don’t have insurance, then the Lung Association will cover the screening costs. Participants can find more information at Lung.org/lcs-assistance.

If you’d like to speak to a Lung Association rep about the Lung Screening Program, please contact Janye Killelea at [email protected] or call (312) 940-7624.