Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment: A Community Conversation

A Community Conversation About Lung Cancer, Heart Health, Innovation & Treatment

Join HEAL Collaborative, Houston Food Bank, Community of Faith, and community healthcare partners for Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment, a free, community-centered program designed to turn health information into action.

Whether you want to better understand your risk, learn about lung cancer and heart health, support a loved one, or navigate a cancer diagnosis, this program is designed to connect you with trusted experts, practical resources, and information that can help you make more informed decisions about your health.

Free program with lunch provided!

Why You Should Attend

This is not a health fair or a traditional lecture. It is an interactive community conversation designed to help you better understand your health and what you can do next. You will:

• Learn about heart disease prevention, cholesterol, and cardiovascular risk
• Understand how protecting your heart can be an important part of protecting your overall health
• Learn how biomarker testing and targeted therapies are changing the way lung cancer is treated
• Explore how clinical trials can provide additional treatment options for some patients
• Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to shape the future of lung cancer care
• Hear a patient story and learn from the experiences of someone who has faced a cancer journey
• Learn what patients and caregivers should know about navigating cancer care
• Connect with on-site screening resources
• Hear directly from physicians, oncology nurses, patient navigators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders
• Ask questions directly to our panel of experts
• Learn about the 340B Program and efforts to make treatment and medications more affordable
• Leave with practical information you can use to start conversations with your family and healthcare team

These topics reflect the Houston agenda's progression from cardiovascular prevention into advances in lung cancer treatment, patient navigation, Q&A, and treatment affordability.

What Makes This Different

HEAL Collaborative programs are designed to be launching pads for better health outcomes.

We don't want you to simply sit and listen. We encourage you to ask questions, share your experiences, speak directly with our presenters, and bring a family member or caregiver into the conversation.

The goal is to move from information to action—helping attendees turn what they learn into conversations, decisions, and better health outcomes for themselves and their families.

The program concludes with lunch, providing another opportunity to connect with speakers, community partners, healthcare professionals, and other attendees.

Program Highlights

The Heart of Prevention

Learn about cholesterol and lipid guidelines, cardiovascular risk, and why understanding your heart health is an important part of preventing disease and protecting your overall health.

A New Era of Lung Cancer Care

Discover how biomarkers, targeted therapies, and clinical trials are helping doctors better understand an individual's cancer and identify treatment options that may be right for them.

The Future Is Now: AI Innovations in Lung Cancer

Explore how artificial intelligence and emerging technology are influencing lung cancer care and what these innovations could mean for patients and healthcare professionals.

Your Roadmap for the Journey

Cancer can be overwhelming for both patients and the people who care for them. Oncology nurses and navigators from Memorial Hermann Health System will discuss what patients and caregivers should know as they move through the healthcare system, while connecting attendees with screening resources.

From Information to Action

Bring your questions. Dr. Wayne Tuckson will moderate an open Q&A with program speakers, helping attendees turn what they've learned into meaningful conversations, informed decisions, and practical next steps.

Making Treatment More Affordable

Learn about the 340B Program and how programs designed to improve access and affordability can affect patients and communities.

Who Should Attend

Our priority is reaching adults who may be at increased risk for lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, but this conversation extends well beyond those who are currently at risk.

Lung cancer doesn't affect just one person—it affects families, caregivers, friends, coworkers, and entire communities. A family member may suddenly become a caregiver. A friend may help someone navigate appointments. A loved one may need help understanding treatment options. And community members can become powerful advocates for better health.

That's why this conversation is for everyone. If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer. Whether you're concerned about your own health, supporting someone you love, living with a diagnosis, caring for a patient, or simply want to become a stronger advocate for yourself and your family, this program is for you.

We especially encourage current and former smokers, adults 50 and older, lung cancer patients and survivors, caregivers and family members, and anyone interested in learning more about prevention, early detection, treatment, and better heart and lung health.

Lung cancer screening with a Low-Dose CT (LDCT) scan is recommended for certain adults ages 50–80 with a 20 pack-year or greater smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Talk with a healthcare professional to determine whether screening is appropriate for you.

Event Details

Saturday, October 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Doors Open & Check-In: 9:30 AM

Houston Food Bank – Community Room BC
535 Portwall Street
Houston, TX 77029

Hosted by HEAL Collaborative

FREE | Lunch Provided

The agenda lists the Houston Food Bank as the venue, with doors opening at 9:30 AM, programming beginning at 10:00 AM, and lunch provided at the conclusion of the program.

Come with your questions. Bring a family member or caregiver. Learn about your heart and lung health. Understand today's treatment options. Discover what's changing in cancer care. Take what you learn and turn it into action.