Adriana LaGrange announces funding for mobile units. (Government of Alberta/YouTube)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Alberta

Alberta bringing mobile lung screening to rural communities

Sep 25, 2024 | 5:05 PM

Alberta’s government and the Alberta Cancer Foundation are partnering with the non-profit 19 to Zero to support mobile lung health units that will bring screening services to underserved communities across the province.

Officials say investing in these mobile services should increase the likelihood of early detection and treatment, ultimately improving health outcomes.

“We are committed to ensuring every Albertan has access to the health care services they need when and where they need them. These mobile units will help bridge existing gaps in the health care system and improve outcomes for Albertans in rural and remote areas,” says Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.

The provincial government is investing $1.5 million into the project, which is expected to be matched by the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

“Living outside of a big city shouldn’t mean less access to vital testing and screening services,” comments Alberta Cancer Foundation CEO Wendy Beauchesne. “Early detection is key to successful cancer treatment, and these specialized mobile clinics will bring essential diagnostics to thousands of Albertans in rural, Indigenous and underserved communities each year.”

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The mobile lung health units are expected to travel to and service underserved, high-priority communities across the province. Patients in these communities often experience lengthy travel times to reach their closest diagnostic centres, which can lead to delayed diagnoses and the suboptimal management of lung conditions, government representatives comment.

“19 to Zero is excited to be partnering to provide mobile health services for lung cancer and lung health testing. Many Albertans face health care access challenges, particularly in rural and remote areas, and this mobile unit will help improve equitable access across the province,” says Theresa Tang, co-founder and CEO of 19 to Zero.

The mobile units include a converted medical sprinter van for pulmonary function testing (PFT) and a custom-built diagnostic imaging truck. The units will be designed and operated by Aceso Medical, and they will use mobile internet and Starlink to integrate with Connect Care, ensuring instant access to test results for radiologists and pulmonologists.

Mobile lung health units will offer PFT and computed technology (CT) scans, which are critical diagnostic tools for identifying and managing lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Across Canada, these services are predominantly available in urban centres, leaving rural and remote communities without access close to home.

The government says it will work with health care partners and local leadership to help determine areas of need for mobile visits and that a website will be developed where the location and schedule of the units will be available.

The pulmonary function testing van is expected to be operational and on the road in spring 2025, with the CT truck following in late summer. Once operational, officials say these mobile units will be able to complete more than 4,000 PFTs and up to 6,000 CT scans per year.