Indigenous Pact, a leader in creating health equity for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and DELFI Diagnostics, Inc., a developer of accessible blood-based tests that deliver a new way to enhance cancer detection, announced a partnership to utilize DELFI’s FirstLook Lung to increase lung cancer screening and early detection in Tribal communities throughout the State of Washington.
The Biden Cancer Moonshot recently highlighted the Indigenous Pact and DELFI Diagnostics collaboration as an innovation in expanding accessibility to lung cancer screening. DELFI’s work with the Indigenous Pact will emphasize incorporating cultural practices and promoting inclusivity for lung cancer screening. Efforts will initially begin with Tribes in the Pacific Northwest, to extend the program to other Tribal Nations.
“Cancer is the second highest health and mortality disparity among the AI/AN populations. This test is a great first step to helping identify risk in rural communities where we lack access to imaging and cancer-related diagnostics. We are so excited to be partnering with DELFI – a truly forward-thinking group that represents the best of future screening tools, not just for rural, hard-to-reach populations but for the entire country,” said Kurt Brenkus, Founder and CEO of Indigenous Pact.
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“We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the important work of Indigenous Pact and its partners. FirstLook Lung is the result of DELFI’s Build with and for All values – an accessible, high-performing test that can improve uptake of lung screening for the people who stand to benefit the most,” said Jenn Buechel, President and COO of DELFI.
The Indigenous community has limited access to lung cancer screening, which often leads to late-stage diagnosis and higher mortality rates. Indigenous Pact is dedicated to providing healthcare that meets the community’s needs while respecting cultural practices and promoting inclusivity for those who are often overlooked. The collaboration to offer lung cancer screening with FirstLook’s blood-based test will initiate in Washington and expand across Tribal Nations.
“We developed FirstLook Lung, which has high sensitivity to aid lung cancer detection across all stages and types of disease, to help close lung cancer screening gaps for all at-risk communities. Indigenous Pact has been an incredible partner in sharing this mission,” said Peter Bach, Chief Medical Officer for DELFI.
SOURCE: PRNewswire