Cecelia Brewington, MD, FACR, Medical Director for the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center CT Lung Screening Program and Member of the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) Patient- and Family-Centered Care Population Health Management Committee, contributed this piece.
November 8 marks the 11th International Day of Radiology, a day when we come together with our colleagues in the field, including radiologists, radiographers, radiological technologists and professionals from related disciplines, as well as patient groups. This day serves as an occasion to acknowledge and advocate for our pivotal role in the patient's healthcare journey. Radiology occupies a central position in the continuum of healthcare, significantly impacting patient outcomes. We possess a unique vantage point, allowing us to assist both patients and referring providers in shared decision-making and screening recommendations, with a special focus on November, which coincides with Lung Cancer Screening Awareness Month.
During this month, we place renewed emphasis on encouraging our patients to engage in conversations with their healthcare providers about their individual lung cancer risk and screening needs. This is particularly important for individuals in rural and minority populations who often face challenges accessing healthcare and have low utilization rates for screening. Together, we have an opportunity to join others in the patient journey, working collaboratively to promote equitable care and save more lives through effective lung cancer screening.
The ACR offers a wealth of resources for lung cancer screening, including research findings and toolkits designed for the benefit of radiologists, patients and referring healthcare providers. The Lung Cancer Screening Locator Tool is an invaluable resource that enables patients to locate screening facilities. Additionally, a variety of infographics and one-pagers are available to educate patients and empower them to participate in shared decision-making with their referring providers.
Furthermore, we encourage lung cancer screening programs to consider participating in National Lung Cancer Screening Day. This annual event sees screening programs across the country opening their doors on a Saturday in November to provide screenings for eligible individuals who may find it challenging to take time off from work or face other obstacles in arranging their screenings. Your facility's participation can play a crucial role in promoting health equity, reducing healthcare disparities, and improving accessibility to lifesaving and effective lung cancer screening.
As we navigate through November and beyond, let us take a moment to reflect on the central role of radiology in active patient care. We invite you to join us in taking a step further, strengthening our collective impact in the endeavor to save more lives through proactive lung cancer screening.
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