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Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance: Improving Cancer Care in Rural Appalachia

On January 18, Aasems Jacob, MD, FACP, FAPCR; Richard M. Ingram, MD; Nicole L. Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA; David S. Switzer, MD, FAAFP joined our webinar to give us a closer look at the Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance (The Alliance) and learn more about its mission, obtain insight into the unique needs of the Appalachian region, discuss how The Alliance is responding to those needs, and how you can participate and/or stay abreast of The Alliance progress and resources.

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.

 

Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative

On 13 of March, Michael Gieske, MD; Mary Reid, PhD, MSPH; and Richard Martin III, MD, MPH joined our LinkedInLive event to give us closer look at the Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative through thought-provoking discussions.

ACCC was identified by the White House’s Cancer Moonshot initiative as one of the five private sector actions in response to the goal of Bringing Cancer Screening to More Communities through its Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative.

The Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative seeks to increase lung cancer screening rates by identifying and addressing informational, literacy, and cultural barriers that inhibit rural Appalachian residents from seeking preventative cancer care. Partnering with local advocates, the initiative focuses on developing and implementing new patient-centric approaches to promote the importance of these screenings. Best practices identified by the initiative will be shared with ACCC members and the broader oncology community.

If you have any questions about either the Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance or the Rural Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, please contact the ACCC Provider Education department.

 
 

GIS-Lung-Cancer-Screening-Sites-1201x853An interactive map was designed for health professionals in a region of rural Appalachia to locate essential services for people who need lung cancer screening or who are living with lung cancer. With the ability to toggle between map layers, users can easily customize the view to suit their needs. Access the map now.

 

Featured Resources

Lung-Cancer-Screening-Implementation-Package-232x300The 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.
Download Guide    Download Worksheets

 

ACCA Lung Infographic CoverThe Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance (The Alliance) was created to develop evidence-based strategies to increase lung cancer screenings, boost patient retention, and establish nodule management programs in the Appalachian areas of Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. These areas in Appalachia have higher lung cancer incidence and mortality than anywhere else in the United States.
Learn More

 

FROM THE ACCCBUZZ BLOG

Abstracts & Presentations

Leveraging a Geographic Information System (GIS) to Identify Lung Cancer Care Disparities and Opportunities in Rural Appalachia

Leveraging-a-Geographic-Information-System-(GIS)-to-Identify-Lung-Cancer-Care-Disparities-and-Opportunities-in-Rural-Appalachia-900x900

Download

Exploring Rural Appalachian Community Perceptions and Practices on Health and Lung Cancer to Inform Screening Interventions

Exploring-Rural-Appalachian-Community-Perceptions-and-Practices-on-Health-and-Lung-Cancer-to-Inform-Screening-Interventions-900x514

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Opportunities to Leverage Navigation and Other Evidence-Based Strategies to Increase Lung Cancer Screening in Appalachia

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News & Media

Pikeville Medical Center ACCC visit interview with Dr. Michael Gieske and Dr. Aasems Jacob
Pikeville Medical Center, June 6, 2024

Pikeville Medical Center and the Association of Cancer Care Centers are working together to help improve the survival rate of lung cancer by promoting screenings
Mountain Top News, June 5, 2024

Highlighting Progress: Private Sector Actions Through the Biden Cancer Moonshot Are Increasing Access to Cancer Screening
The White House News Release, May 9, 2024

Pharma Giants Take on Appalachian Cancer Rates in Newest Screening Initiative
PharmaVoice, June 7, 2022

FACT SHEET: Private Sector Steps Up on Cancer Moonshot Call to Action on Cancer Screening
The White House News Release, May 11, 2022

On-Demand Webinars

Empowering Patient-Centered Care: Shared Decision-Making in Lung Cancer Screening

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.

Lung Cancer Screening & Tobacco Cessation: Identifying, Engaging, and Supporting Patients

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.

Optimizing Lung Cancer Care Through Patient Navigation

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 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.

Our Supporters

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The Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance is made possible by support from Bristol Myers Squibb.

 

AstraZeneca
The Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative is made possible by support from AstraZeneca.

Our Partners

The Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance is in partnership with:

 
logo-ACCC-200x80 acs-200x80 SCOS-seal-120x116 VAHO-logo-200x90TOPS-logo-200x90Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology Logo NCOA-newlogo-220x100 grid-WVOS-175x175-off

The Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative is in partnership with:

 
Cancer Support Community Logo Lungevity. Find it. Treat it. Live.