INDIANA – IU Health continues to pioneer healthcare innovation in Indiana, achieving another significant first with the launch of the state’s first mobile lung screening unit in March. This groundbreaking initiative, made possible in part by private philanthropy, aims to improve early detection of lung cancer and ultimately save lives across the state.
Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer for Hoosiers, claiming more lives than colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers combined. However, early screening and detection have been proven to reduce lung cancer mortality by as much as 20%. Recognizing the critical need for accessible screening, IU Health developed this mobile unit to bring vital care directly to at-risk individuals in communities throughout Indiana.
The state-of-the-art mobile unit is equipped with a low-dose CT scanner, allowing for quick and efficient lung screenings. Healthcare professionals onboard the unit not only conduct the scans but also play a crucial role in coordinating follow-up care between patients and their local healthcare providers for any necessary next steps.
The mobile lung screening program commenced its journey in March, visiting Blackford, Jay, and Bartholomew counties. In April, the unit is scheduled to travel to Clark, Ohio, and Hancock counties. IU Health anticipates providing approximately 2,000 lung scans in 2025 alone through this mobile initiative.
A significant aspect of this program is its focus on reaching underserved rural areas, where access to specialized medical care can often be a challenge. Thanks to the generous support of the Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation, a large truck has been retrofitted to house the CT scanner and other essential components for conducting lung screenings on the go. The mobile team will drive this unit to various locations statewide, offering this crucial test to Hoosiers who might otherwise face significant barriers to obtaining a scan.
“Access is the issue. In many rural communities in Indiana, they have to go a great distance to get a lot of their care,” explained Nasser Hanna, the director of the screening program. “This mobile unit reduces a major barrier for those people.”
By taking lung cancer screening directly to communities in need, IU Health is breaking down geographical barriers and increasing the chances of early detection, ultimately offering hope for improved outcomes for countless Hoosiers at risk of this devastating disease.
