Improving lung cancer screening adherence

Increasing Equitable Adherence to Annual Lung Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Follow-up

Not applicable Interventional Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine · NCT05832008

This study is trying out different reminders for patients and doctors to see if they can get more people to follow lung cancer screening guidelines.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment800 (estimated)
Ages50 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorAbramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Academic / other
Locations1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT05832008 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial tests the effectiveness of nudge strategies aimed at both patients and clinicians to improve adherence to lung cancer screening guidelines. It employs a pragmatic randomized design with a 2 x 2 factorial approach, where patients overdue for screening receive gain-framed text messages, while clinicians receive electronic health record prompts. The goal is to enhance early detection of lung cancer by addressing barriers to screening through targeted interventions. Following the trial, interviews and surveys will be conducted to explore factors influencing the effectiveness of these strategies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients aged 50-80 with a significant smoking history who are overdue for lung cancer screening and have not been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with a highly suspicious baseline LDCT or those already diagnosed with lung cancer may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly increase adherence to lung cancer screening, leading to earlier detection and better patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that nudge strategies can effectively improve adherence to screening guidelines, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Clinicians will be eligible if they:

1. are practicing primary care or specialty care physicians at a recruiting site within the University of Pennsylvania Health System;
2. care for patients who completed LCS via LDCT in 2019-2023; and
3. do not opt-out of study participation.

Patients will be eligible if they:

1. are eligible for LCS based on 2021 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) population guidelines (aged 50-80; smoking history of 20-pack years; smoked within the last 15 years)
2. completed LCS via LDCT in 2019-2023;
3. have not been diagnosed with lung cancer;
4. meet criteria for non-adherence;
5. remain eligible for LCS during the trial enrollment period; and
6. receive LCS care from a clinician that has not opted-out of study participation

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded if they:

a) have a highly suspicious baseline LDCT (Lung-RADS 4B/X) given the presence of existing clinical pathways to ensure adherence in this group

Where this trial is running

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Lung CancerAdherence, PatientScreeningNudgeAdherenceImplementation scienceBehavioral scienceDigital health
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.