Improving Lung Cancer Screening for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

Research Project 3: Strengthening Awareness and Community Resources for Early Detection of LUng cancer through Navigation Guided Screening (SACRED LUNGS)

NIH-funded research Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11237036

This project aims to help American Indian and Alaska Native people get screened for lung cancer more often by using special support from patient navigators.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11237036 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Lung cancer is a serious health concern, and screening can save lives, but many people, especially those in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, do not get screened. This project plans to use patient navigators, who are trained to help individuals overcome challenges and complete their recommended healthcare, to guide people through the lung cancer screening process. By offering culturally sensitive support, we hope to make it easier for eligible individuals to access and complete these important screenings. This approach could help more people catch lung cancer early when it is most treatable.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are American Indian and Alaska Native individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening.

Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening or are not part of the American Indian and Alaska Native communities may not directly benefit from this specific project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this project could significantly increase early detection of lung cancer among American Indian and Alaska Native people, leading to better treatment outcomes and saving lives.

How similar studies have performed: Patient navigation has shown promise in other underserved populations, improving lung cancer screening completion rates by up to four times in randomized trials.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.