Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network Funds Multi-Site Lung Cancer Screening Facilitation Study in 2023 Grant Program
The Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN) is happy to announce the funding of a study, “Increasing Lung Cancer Screening Through Multi-Site Screening Facilitation,” as part of the 2023-2024 MNCCTN Grant Program. The study is led by Abbie Begnaud, MD, pulmonologist and critical care physician principal investigator with the Masonic Cancer Center.
Dr. Begnaud's study was awarded in the Community Site Award Option B category. This award was open to MNCCTN partners only, research or clinical. The Community Site Award is intended to broaden the depth and reach of cancer clinical trials at MNCCTN sites in Greater Minnesota and deepen research partnerships with MNCCTN partners and sites. The project received $125,000 in funding for this award. Dr. Begnaud is working with the MNCCTN HUB on development and implementation of the study at MNCCTN sites over the next year.
Dr. Begnaud's study will assess baseline characteristics of MNCCTN sites, such as number of potentially eligible lung cancer screening patients and existing resources. Then, the study team will assess local needs of primary care clinics affiliated with MNCCTN sites. The last phase of the study will pilot the a lung cancer screening facilitation intervention and evaluate outcomes.
Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers in the United States and in Minnesota. Lung cancer can be screened for with low-dose computed tomography for eligible patients. This can detect lung cancer at early stages. However, lung cancer screening rates remain low. The national average lung cancer screening rate is just 5 percent, while the Minnesota rate is 8%. The ultimate goal of Dr. Begnaud's study is to increase lung cancer screening rates in Minnesota.
The MNCCTN Grant Program, first launched in 2021, offers several different award options regularly. The program aims to develop research that addresses the unique cancer burden of Minnesotans, encourage community-driven research, increase capacity of MNCCTN sites, develop sustainable collaborations between community-based organizations and academic researchers, and expand the culture of research across Minnesota. To learn more about the program and previously funded projects, visit the MNCCTN Grant Program webpage.
About MNCCTN
The Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN) is a cancer clinical trials network with locations across Minnesota. The network is funded by the Minnesota legislature as part of the University of Minnesota's MnDRIVE Program. Led by the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, MNCCTN and its partner organizations aim to improve cancer outcomes for all Minnesotans through greater access to cancer clinical trials in prevention and treatment.