Dignity Health Lung Cancer Screening Program

 

Each year more than 200,000 people in this country are diagnosed with lung cancer. Unfortunately, more than 125,000 will die because in most cases, the cancer is not detected until symptoms appear and is already at an advanced stage where treatment options are less effective.

However, with early detection by annual screening, outcomes are far superior with cure rates for stage 1 lung cancers of up to 80-90%. By screening, we can find more lung cancers at stages 1 and 2, rather than at stages 3 and 4.

Our lung cancer screening program offers those at higher risk for lung cancer the opportunity to have a CT screening every year. Lung cancer screening is covered by Medicare Part B, Medi-Cal and all major insurances.

Screening Guidelines

The United States Preventative Services Task Force released guidelines reaffirming the benefits of annual lung cancer screening for those meeting the following criteria:

• Age: 50 to 77 with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer
• Smoking history: Active or former smoker with a 20 pack year history (A "pack year" is the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes per day, per year. One pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years would both be 20 pack years.)
• Active smoker: If you are an active smoker, we strongly urge you to enter a smoking cessation program
• Former smoker: If you are a former smoker, you must have quit within the past 15 years

What to Expect

Ask to speak with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of annual screening. If you decide to proceed, they will order a CT lung screening exam. A CT scan is brief and painless.

During the scan:

• We position you on the CT table
• You do not need to change out of your clothes
• The scan takes less than a minute
• There are no IVs, needles or dye/contrast

CT Lung Scan: Low Risk

Our state-of-the-art spiral CT scanners produce a low dose of X-rays with about the same amount of radiation as an average American receives in six months from natural background radiation.

CT Lung Scan: Results

Finding spots or "nodules" in the lung during the screening is quite common and does not necessarily mean that you have lung cancer. These aare more than likely to be benign (noncancerous).

If your exam detects a nodule or nodules that raise concern, we may:

• Recommend a second type of diagnostic test
• Refer you to a lung specialist
• Recommend that you return for follow-up scans in three to six months

If the nodules are large, you may require immediate additional diagnostic tests and procedures.