by
Lauren Dubinsky, Senior Reporter | July 08, 2016
Maine among states with highest
rate of lung cancer in U.S.
photo via Wikimedia Commons
The Maine Medical Center (MMC) was awarded a $5 million grant by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation to initiate a statewide initiative to improve the prevention, early detection and treatment of lung cancer in the state.
Maine is one of the states with the highest rate of lung cancer incidence and deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its high smoking rate, rural environment and hurdles to health care all play a role in the high rate of cancer.
The Maine Lung Cancer Prevention and Screening (Maine LungCAPS) initiative is a 4-year collaboration among Maine health care providers and stakeholders that will span multiple institutions and disciplines. They will work to develop and validate models for improving access and utilization of screening and treatment.
The organizations involved in the initiative include MaineGeneral Prevention Center, MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence, Maine Quality Counts, American Lung Association of the Northeast, American Cancer Society, University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and Maine Public Health Association.
The organizations will come up with innovative approaches, including deploying community health workers and telemedicine technology to help prevent lung cancer and providing screening services for residents in rural communities. They will also educate health professionals, patients and the community about lung cancer prevention and screening.
A
survey published in the journal
Cancer in June revealed that many physicians still lack a solid understanding of appropriate use of lung cancer screening. Out of 101 family physicians in South Carolina, 98 percent agreed that low-dose lung cancer screening increases the likelihood of detecting disease at earlier stages but only 14 percent believe it reduces lung cancer-related deaths.
The researchers believe that educating the physicians on the eligibility criteria for screening and potential risks and benefits is part of the solution. Decision aids might also be helpful to encourage treatment discussions between physicians and patients.
