A recent study highlights the potential of digital tools to improve early detection of lung cancer by reaching high-risk populations directly, overcoming traditional barriers such as lack of awareness and limited time during primary care visits.

The research found that digital outreach methods, including electronic health record portals and text messaging, are scalable and effective across diverse demographic and socioeconomic groups, which could help reduce disparities in lung cancer screening.

Led by Wake Forest University and UNC, a large randomized clinical trial involving over 26,000 smokers evaluated the effectiveness of the digital health platform mPATH-Lung, which offers education, decision aids, and appointment requests outside of traditional clinical settings.

In the trial, 1,333 eligible smokers used the mPATH-Lung program, resulting in a significant increase in screening rates, with 24.5% completing a lung cancer screening CT scan within 16 weeks, compared to 17% in the control group.

Importantly, the study reported no adverse events or complications from the screening procedures, underscoring the safety of integrating digital interventions with standard screening protocols.

Results showed that screening rates improved across all demographic groups, demonstrating that digital outreach can effectively promote early detection without increasing risks.

Experts emphasize that digital outreach via EHR portals or text messaging is a scalable approach that complements primary care and can effectively address disparities in access to lung cancer screening.

Building on these findings, the team launched mPATH Health, a startup aimed at making this digital platform widely accessible to integrate innovative health promotion tools into routine preventive care on a national scale.

The broader implications suggest that similar digital health solutions could be adapted to other screening programs, expanding the reach of preventive interventions especially in underserved populations.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., with less than 20% of eligible Americans undergoing screening annually due to barriers like lack of awareness and time constraints.

The mPATH-Lung program incorporated educational videos, decision aids, and an option to request screening appointments, all designed to be accessible outside of clinical visits, facilitating greater engagement.

A multi-site randomized trial published in JAMA demonstrated that the digital program increased lung cancer screening completion from 17% to 25% among high-risk individuals within 16 weeks, showing a substantial boost in screening uptake.