Lung Cancer Screening in Homeless Populations: Importance of Patient Navigation

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open highlights the significance of patient navigation in promoting lung cancer screening (LCS) in homeless populations. Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital conducted a subgroup analysis of the Investigating Navigation to Help Advance Lung Equity (INHALE) pragmatic randomized clinical trial, which aimed to examine the effect of LCS patient navigation on individuals currently versus formerly experiencing homelessness. The study revealed that patient navigation significantly increased LCS low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) completion among both those currently and formerly experiencing homelessness.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 260 participants, with 84 patients (32.3%) currently experiencing homelessness and 176 (67.7%) having formerly experienced homelessness.
  • Patient navigation significantly increased LCS LDCT completion among both those currently (15 of 56 [26.8%] vs 2 of 28 [7.1%]; P = .04) and formerly (60 of 117 [51.3%] vs 6 of 59 [10.2%]; P
  • The study found that patient navigation effectively promoted lung cancer screening among both subgroups, suggesting that this intervention can be beneficial for both currently and formerly homeless individuals.
  • The researchers noted that further improving cancer outcomes among homeless patients may require refinement of the patient navigation intervention, coupled with policy efforts to promote housing attainment among people experiencing homelessness.
  • The study suggests that patient navigation can be an effective strategy for promoting lung cancer screening in Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) settings.
  • Funding for the research was provided by the American Cancer Society and the Massachusetts General Hospital Research Scholars Program.

Statistics:

  • 32.3% of participants were currently experiencing homelessness, while 67.7% had formerly experienced homelessness.
  • 26.8% of participants in the currently homeless group completed initial LCS LDCT compared to 7.1% in the control group.
  • 51.3% of participants in the formerly homeless group completed initial LCS LDCT compared to 10.2% in the control group.
  • The study was conducted at the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), a federally qualified health center serving nearly 10,000 patients who have experienced homelessness annually.
  • The study was conducted between November 20, 2020, and March 29, 2023.

Sources:

  • Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open (JAMA Network Open), 2025;8(7).
  • NewsRx, Studies from Massachusetts General Hospital Describe New Findings in Lung Cancer (Homelessness, Patient Navigation, and Lung Cancer Screening In a Health Center Setting: a Subgroup Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial). Health & Medicine Week. August 22, 2025; p 7277.