Background
Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer reduces lung cancer–specific and all-cause mortality among high-risk individuals. However, participation remains suboptimal, particularly among socioeconomically vulnerable and geographically underserved populations. Mobile units for “outreach” screening strategies may help reduce health inequalities, as observed with the Manchester Mobile Lung Health Check experience. We report interim results from PNEUMOBILE program, the first public, territorially integrated mobile lung cancer screening (LCS) unit in France.
Objectives
To describe the implementation of the “PNEUMOBILE” program and to report early results regarding feasibility, participation, screening outcomes, and social vulnerability of participants.
Methods
PNEUMOBILE is a hospital-based mobile unit equipped with an LDCT scanner and consultation facilities, delivering a comprehensive respiratory prevention pathway. Eligible participants were adults aged 50–74 years, current or former smokers (<15 years since cessation) with ≥20 pack-years, in accordance with current French National Cancer Institute (INCa) criteria.
Each participant underwent LDCT for lung cancer screening, spirometry for early COPD detection, cardiovascular risk assessment (SCORE-2), and a structured tobacco cessation or prevention consultation. The program is embedded within the MobILYAD prospective cohort study which assess social vulnerability using the EPICES score. Participants recruited through PNEUMOBILE will be compared with those enrolled in the hospital based LCS program at Lyon Sud University Hospital (Hoscpies Civils de Lyon). We report here the descriptive data from the first 6 months of deployment.
Results
Between June and December 2025, 27 mobile missions were conducted, with 653 participants included (609 LDCT scans analyzed at interim). The mean age was 59.6 years old (SD 6.5); 55% were men and 64% were current smokers.
LDCT results were negative in 88.7% of cases, indeterminate in 8.0%, and positive in 2.8%. Incidental clinically relevant findings were observed in 7.6%. Importantly, 27% of participants had an EPICES score ≥30, indicating social vulnerability. Nearly half (49%) reported not participating to other cancer screening programs.
The program achieved high participation rates, strong engagement from local healthcare networks, and successful linkage to downstream care pathways, although post-mission workload (image interpretation, reporting, coordination) was substantial.
Conclusions / Implications
Early results suggest that an integrated mobile LDCT screening unit is feasible, well accepted, and capable of reaching socially vulnerable populations often underserved by conventional screening programs. PNEUMOBILE illustrates the potential of outreach strategies to reduce inequalities in lung cancer screening participation and supports their inclusion in future organized screening policies in Europe.
Updated data, including full results from the first 1,000 participants, will be presented at the IARC International Scientific Conference – Cancer Research into Action in May 2026.