Lung Health

Getting Back on Track with Your Medical Care

Did you know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States? Studies show that an annual low-dose CT scan can reduce the risk of death from lung cancer by 20 to 25%. To support the identification of lung cancers at early stages, Dominican Hospital established a robust lung cancer screening program in 2014 that meets the guidelines of the United States Preventive Task Force.

With the knowledge that screenings save lives, the recommendations recently changed in 2021. All scans with high risk findings are discussed by an interdisciplinary group of physicians including an oncologist, pulmonologist, and radiologist.

2021 Expanded Eligibility

Recommendations:

• Age range beginning at 50 years old (lowered the age from 55 years, upper age limit is 77 years old) • A smoking history of 20+ pack-years (reduced from 30 pack-years) • Individuals who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years

Dominican Hospital Foundation never wants insurance coverage to be a barrier to care and can help with financial assistance if needed. Unfortunately nation-wide, delaying screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in an increase in cancer diagnoses found at later stages. Early detection, along with prevention, is the best tool we have available to control cancer mortality.

If you have any questions about screening safety measures or the lung cancer screening program at Dominican, please speak with your primary care doctor or call the Katz Cancer Resource Center at 831.462.7770.