ACR Foundation launches lung cancer screening fund

The American College of Radiology Foundation has partnered with the Cancer Doesn’t Care initiative to launch the Cancer Doesn’t Care Fund. ACR said the fund will support screening access, early detection, and research for people at high risk for cancer, including those not covered under existing guidelines.

Funding will support pilot programs, community partnerships, technology development, and policy research. ACR said the initiative will also promote efforts to screen uninsured and underserved patients earlier.

Current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidance recommends annual low-dose CT lung cancer screening for adults ages 50 to 80 who have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.

Cancer Doesn’t Care targets gaps affecting people who fall outside smoking-based screening criteria, according to the ACR announcement. Shira Boehler, a lung cancer survivor and founder of the initiative, is also the author of One Scan Saved My Life.

Private donors, foundations, industry partners, and grants will provide funding. ACR said projects supported by the fund will follow research standards, quality safeguards, and independent oversight.