LUCAS is coming to Doddridge County Park
The WVU Cancer Institute’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, travels to 42 of West Virginia’s most rural counties to provide lung cancer screening.
The 48-foot unit is equipped with state-of-the-art lung cancer screening technology and provides lung cancer screening in a comfortable, convenient environment for women, men, and transgender and gender-diverse people with private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare.
Uninsured patients living in West Virginia, who are age 50 and older and meet lung cancer screening eligibility requirements, may receive lung cancer screening on LUCAS through the generosity of grant funding and donations. With regular lung cancer screenings, cancer may be detected earlier, when it is easier to treat and cure.
More West Virginians die from lung cancer than colorectal, prostate, and breast cancer combined. Approximately 120,000 West Virginians are eligible for lung cancer screening, but only about two to four percent of those eligible for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) are currently being screened. Most West Virginia counties do not currently have access to LDCT in their area.
LUCAS provides lung cancer screening and then refers patients in need of follow-up to facilities close to their home. Building upon the successful operations and infrastructure of our mobile mammography unit, Bonnie’s Bus, LUCAS is part of the WVU Cancer Institute Mobile Cancer Screening Program, which is focused on bringing cancer prevention services to underserved communities throughout the state.
The WVU Cancer Institute Mobile Cancer Screening Program is coordinated by Cancer Prevention and Control, and is a partnership between the WVU Cancer Institute and WVU Medicine-WVU Hospitals.
~Who can get a lung cancer screening on LUCAS?
The mobile unit provides screenings to individuals who fall within screening guidelines, including women, men, transgender, and gender-diverse people who:
*Are age 50 to 80
*Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years
*Have a >20 pack/year smoking history
*Have no symptoms of lung cancer
Insurance coverage varies; check with your insurance carrier to determine coverage.
~What type of payment is accepted by LUCAS?
LUCAS will bill Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance for screening.
Medicare and Medicaid will cover the cost for those who meet the above guidelines and go to a registered facility. Private insurance covers the scan; however, guidelines vary and may require additional risk factors or differ in covered age range.
No eligible West Virginian will be turned away due to lack of insurance or inability to pay. Grant funds and donations are available to pay for lung cancer screening for those without insurance coverage.
~What do I need to bring to the appointment?
Patients should bring their insurance information, driver’s license or picture ID, and a healthcare provider’s orders for the scan.
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the appointment to check-in with staff and complete the appropriate paperwork. Patients should not wear any metal to their appointment.
~How often should I get a scan?
An annual lung cancer screening for eligible patients is recommended by the U.S Preventive Services Task Forces.
~How soon will I get my results?
Results and recommendations will be sent to each patient and their referring provider within 30 days.
~If I need follow-up care, who do I contact?
Patients with findings that indicate a need for further diagnosis and treatment will be referred to their local provider and healthcare facilities for evaluation. Our LUCAS program manager is available to help find care if needed.
