Lung Cancer Screening Program
The Institute for Cancer created a Lung Cancer Screening program to address the prevalence of this type of cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, taking more American lives than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined. This is due in part due to the late stage in which the cancer is diagnosed. Renown has offered a Low Dose CT( LDCT) screening for many years, despite most insurances not covering the cost. LDCT produces images of sufficient quality to detect many abnormalities using up to 90 percent less ionizing radiation than a conventional chest CT scan.
In early 2016, after research demonstrated that the LDCT saved lives through early diagnosis, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid( CMS) approved coverage for patients who meet screening guidelines.
The LDCT screening guidelines include individuals who are aged 55 to 77 years and meet all of the following criteria:
1) No active symptoms of lung cancer 2) A 30 pack-a-year smoking history
3) Current smoker, or have quit within the past 15 years
In March 2016, our program implemented a LDCT screening program that met all the CMS criteria. Each patient who meets these guidelines is seen by one of our Advanced Practice Nurses for a shared decision-making visit to determine if screening is the best option. |
Christina Alsop, APRN |
Lillian Morton, APRN |
Since starting our LDCT screening program, we have performed 1345 referrals, screened 693 patients and diagnosed 7 early stage( Stage IA or IB) and 1 late stage( Stage IV) lung cancers.
Stage of Diagnosis |
2014( Baseline Lung Cancers) N = 208 |
2016( Lung Cancers Diagnosed in Screening Program) |
2017( Lung Cancers Diagnosed in Screening Program) |
Stage 0 |
3 % |
|
|
Stage I |
26 % |
100 % |
50 % |
Stage II |
8 % |
|
|
Stage III |
19 % |
|
|
Stage IV |
46 % |
|
50 % |
| 4 |