Building Centers of Excellence: Improving Lung Cancer Screening and Outcomes
To meaningfully address the challenges of lung cancer detection and treatment, it’s essential to create more Centers of Excellence dedicated to lung cancer care. These centers, such as those at the University of Chicago and Inova Fairfax, bring together advanced diagnostic technologies, multidisciplinary expertise, and comprehensive care to improve patient outcomes significantly.
In 2021, the United States Preventive Services Task Force expanded lung cancer screening guidelines, broadening the criteria to include more individuals. High-risk patients are now defined as those aged 50-80 with a smoking history of 20 or more pack-years or those who quit smoking within the last 15 years. While these updated guidelines increased the number of people eligible for screening, only 4.5% of eligible individuals were screened in 2022.
Clearly, expanding eligibility alone is not enough to drive meaningful change. Health systems must actively reach out to at-risk populations and promote the importance of early detection. Furthermore, the emergence of new diagnostic technologies presents a unique opportunity to meet increased demand with enhanced supply.
By investing in comprehensive lung cancer screening sites, or Centers of Excellence, we can remove many financial and logistical barriers to screening. These centers can provide advanced diagnostic tools, such as robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platforms, which allow for accurate biopsies of small lesions in hard-to-reach areas. They can also serve as hubs for patient education, ensuring that more people understand their risk factors and the importance of getting screened.
In 2022, dozens of hospitals and healthcare organizations issued a joint statement urging more investment in lung cancer screening. Establishing more Centers of Excellence was one of their key recommendations. By expanding these centers, we can reduce the overall economic burden on the healthcare system, as earlier interventions lead to lower treatment costs and better patient outcomes.
The Galaxy System was specifically designed to equip a broader range of physicians and health systems in their fight against lung cancer. Its integrated TiLT+ ™ technology improves their rate of success, while design decisions - including a disposable bronchoscope and a smaller physical footprint - mean it can be used more efficiently by even small medical offices. It is our sincere hope that the Galaxy System can be deployed by more providers around the country and help facilitate their expansion into lung cancer Centers of Excellence.
Together, with better screening guidelines, cutting-edge diagnostic technologies, and the expansion of lung cancer Centers of Excellence, we can make significant strides in reducing lung cancer deaths and improving the lives of countless patients.