United States23,520 participantsStarted 2026-06-01
Plain-language summary
Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths in the United States than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined and is the number one cancer killer of Veterans. This is because lung cancer is usually diagnosed when the disease has spread, and cure is less likely. Lung cancer screening (LCS) finds cancer at an earlier stage when it is curable, yet only 20% of eligible Veterans have been screened. Uptake is even lower among Black Veterans despite higher lung cancer risk. Using prediction models to identify high-benefit people for whom LCS should be encouraged improves efficiency and reduces disparities. Moreover, it is more patient-centered as shared decision-making conversations can be tailored with personalized information. The US Preventive Services Task Force has called for research to demonstrate that prediction-augmented LCS can be feasibly implemented at the point-of-care. The investigators propose for VA to lead this effort with a large-scale pragmatic clinical trial to show that prediction-augmented LCS is both feasible and improves LCS uptake.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Veterans assigned a PCP at a participating site and who meet inclusion criteria at any point during the study timeframe will be enrolled into the trial. There will be two paths to patient inclusion:
* meeting USPSTF eligibility criteria for LCS, as currently encoded in the background logic of LCS clinical reminders maintained by the VA National Center for Lung Cancer Screening (i.e., age 50-80 years; smoked 20 pack-years; current smoking or quit \<15 years ago) OR
* predicted benefit calculated using LYFS-CTVA model exceeds a stringent high-benefit threshold of life-year gains with annual LCS, as recommended in the 2021 CHEST LCS guidelines
Exclusion Criteria:
* Veterans who have previously undergone lung cancer screening, are diagnosed with lung cancer, or who do not meet eligibility criteria outlined above
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
LDCT receipt in high-benefit Veterans
Timeframe: From time of intervention activation at the facility to the receipt of LDCT scan up to 169 weeks