Abstract PO-271: Does residential distance from a lung cancer screening facility predict baseline screening?

Background. Previous studies identified important correlates of receiving low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) among those referred to a lung cancer screening program in Philadelphia. However, studies have not considered whether distance from the screening site is a factor in whether eligible patients receive screening. In this study, we examine whether residential distance to the screening facility predicts receipt of baseline LDCT among eligible patients referred to the Jefferson Lung Cancer Screening Program (JLCSP), after controlling for covariates. Methods. We retrospectively selected eligible patients referred to JLCSP between 1/1/18 and 8/31/18 (N=399). We geocoded each patients’ address using ArcGIS 10.3. We used ArcGIS Network Analysis to identify the distance from each patients’ residence to the screening facility in downtown Philadelphia. We used bivariate statistical tests (chi- square, t-tests) and multivariable logistic regression to identify correlations between individual-level patient characteristics, including distance to facility, and receipt of baseline screening. Results. Residential distance to facility was not related to receipt of baseline LDCT screening, when we treated distance as a continuous variable.

When we treated distance as categorical by quartiles, residents living in the second quartile (2.41-3.25 miles) had lower odds of receiving LDCT compared to those in the closest quartile (AOR=0.55; CI=0.30-0.99). Other correlates of receiving LDCT screening were younger age, and being a former smoker (compared to current smokers). Conclusion. Individuals that lived 2.41-3.25 miles from the screening facility had lower odds of receiving LDCT compared to those that lived closest to the facility. This relationship may be the result of inadequate public transportation, or may reflect neighborhood poverty and resource inequities in Philadelphia neighborhoods. Our study did not collect patient income data, which could confound this relationship. More research is necessary to identify the extent to which distance from screening facilities serves as a barrier for receipt of LDCT services in order to reduce this barrier and improve screening adherence.

Citation Format: Russell K. McIntire, Seif Butt, Christine Shusted, Denine Crittendon, Brooke Ruane, Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, Hee-Soon Juon, Julie Barta. Does residential distance from a lung cancer screening facility predict baseline screening? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-271.