Free Lung Cancer Screenings Available to District Residents

April marks National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month, and the American Lung Association is kicking it off by offering free lung cancer screenings to District residents in Southeast Washington, Columbia Heights, Brightwood, Fort Dupont, Fort Totten, and Brookland neighborhoods through its Lung Cancer Screening Initiative.

The Lung Association’s newly launched initiative in the District aims to increase awareness and reduce barriers to care by expanding early-stage lung cancer detection and intervention. The program provides education, guidance, and support for lung cancer screening referrals and connects high-risk individuals with low-dose CT scans to catch lung cancer early, when it is more treatable.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in the District and across the U.S.  While new testing and treatment advancements are resulting in people living longer than ever before, barriers such as stigma associated with lung cancer, as well as insurance challenges and racial and ethnic disparities persist. In the District, the lung cancer burden significantly impacts the social and economic well-being of Black individuals, who face a lung cancer incidence rate that is four times higher and a mortality rate that is two times higher than their white counter parts.

“Increasing access to lung cancer screenings is essential to saving lives. Lung cancer is a disease that impacts far too many families here in the District” said Aleks Casper, Director of Advocacy, American Lung Association. “Our latest State of Lung Cancer report shows the district ranks among the bottom five in the nation for early diagnosis (28 out of 50) with only 28.3% of cases detected at an early stage, when survival rates are significantly higher. Nationally, only 28.1% of cases are diagnosed early. Too many people don’t know they’re at risk or face barriers to healthcare, which is why we are urging District residents to take advantage of the Lung Cancer Screening Initiative.”

Individuals must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

• 50 – 80 years of age
• Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years)
• Currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years

Through the program, participants can call a Lung Health Navigator at 844-ALA-LUNG (844-252-5864) to find out if they are eligible for lung cancer screening. The Navigator will work one-on-one with callers and support them throughout the entire screening process 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.

If eligible, a Navigator will be able to assist with financial barriers to care by covering the outstanding balance of 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