The region known as Appalachia stretches 250,000 square miles and includes all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states. Of Appalachia’s 420 counties, 25 percent are rural. Approximately 25.7 million people call the region home. The poverty and lack of healthcare resources that characterize this area have led to sustained, elevated levels of morbidity and mortality for many diseases, including cancer. Compared to other regions in the U.S., Central Appalachia has the highest cancer rate in the region at 32 percent higher than the national rate. Since the start of the pandemic, Americans have missed nearly 10 million recommended cancer screenings.
In response to the need for cancer screening and care in Appalachia, ACCC—together with several of its state chapters—launched the Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance (the Alliance) in December 2021. This project is a partnership with several state oncology societies representing the Appalachian region. The focus is on improving patient and operational cancer outcomes by identifying effective evidence-based practices that can be replicated throughout the region.
The Lung Cancer Screening Implementation Change Package is a comprehensive guide and resource suite tailored for healthcare organizations aiming to initiate, enhance, or broaden their existing lung cancer screening programs. This invaluable package provides a strategic step-by-step process and a wealth of resources to facilitate change with confidence. Accompanying the guide are downloadable, customizable worksheets that serve as practical tools to aid in the implementation process.
The unwinding of Medicaid has begun and affects one of the most vulnerable U.S. regions’ access to cancer-related services—from screening to treatment. In this webinar, the Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance provides an opportunity to gain insight on the scale of impact and how to help ensure continued access to cancer screening and treatment services for this patient population.
Accurately identifying eligible patients for lung cancer screening is critical to early detection and improved outcomes. This webinar provides an overview of current screening guidelines, best practices for calculating pack years, and effective approaches to discussing smoking cessation. Participants will also learn how to connect patients with evidence-based tobacco cessation resources to support their journey toward quitting.
Patient hesitation about lung cancer screening is common, but shared decision-making (SDM) can help overcome resistance by fostering open, informed conversations. This ACCC webinar will explore SDM principles, reimbursement policies, and practical strategies to engage patients, address concerns, and encourage active participation. Attendees will learn how to guide patients toward informed screening decisions. Join us to enhance your approach to patient conversations and ensure informed, value-based choices in lung cancer screening.
This webinar explores how patient navigation services enhance lung cancer care by guiding patients through each step of the care continuum, from screening to diagnosis and treatment. Join us as experts share the benefits of patient navigation, including the positive impact on care teams and patients, as well as recent CMS reimbursement support. Through real-world case examples, discover actionable strategies that have helped other cancer programs successfully integrate patient navigation into their practice.
The Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance is in partnership with:
The Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative is in partnership with:
The Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance is made possible by support from Bristol Myers Squibb.
The Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative is made possible by support from AstraZeneca.
