Indiana University Fort Wayne will welcome Indiana’s first mobile lung screening program to campus Sept. 24, offering community members access to life-saving lung screenings and education.
The 40-foot mobile unit, equipped with a CT scanner, is operated by Indiana University Health in partnership with Healthy IU and End Lung Cancer Now, an initiative of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. The program brings convenient, accessible screenings to communities across the state, reducing barriers to early detection of lung cancer.
“Our campus is proud to support a program that directly benefits the broader community,” said Dr. Deborah Garrison, inaugural vice chancellor and dean of IU Fort Wayne. “Early detection saves lives, and bringing this opportunity to Fort Wayne ensures more people can access the care they need.”
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, killing more people than colorectal, breast and prostate cancer combined. While often symptomless in its early stages, it is highly treatable when detected early. According to the American Lung Association, only 16.9% of high-risk Hoosiers were screened in 2024, leaving many cases undiagnosed until advanced stages.
According to Medicare guidelines, adults without current symptoms of lung cancer may qualify for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening if they meet certain criteria, including:
- Fall in the age range of 50 to 77 years old.
- Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
- Have a 20 pack-year history. For example, one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.
The mobile lung screening unit will travel to IU campuses across Indiana, bringing early detection and education directly to community members. With care provided by IU Health, the program expects to complete about 2,000 scans in 2025 and will coordinate follow-up care for patients within their local communities.
Community members are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for early detection. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with the mobile unit, visit https://iuhealth.org/find-medical-services/lung-scan.
