ANNUAL SCREENINGS
Advanced Lung Cancer Screenings Can Save Lives
Lung cancer remains the # 1 cancer killerofboth men andwomen in theUnitedStates . Nearly225,000 Americans willbediagnosed with lung cancer this year . Almost143,000 will die from lung cancer this year -- morethan aquarter of allcancer deaths in the U . S . More women will die from lung cancer than from breast cancer .
“ Lungcancercan be very aggressive ,” said Federico Cerrone , MD , medical director , Atlantic Health SystemLungCancerScreening Program . “ Generally , the earlier we catch lung cancer , the more likely we will be able to cureit . Thetechnologyweuse in our screening program is moreeffective at detectinglung cancer than older imaging modalities .”
The Atlantic Health System lung cancer test uses low-dose computed tomography ( LDCT ) thatonlytakes afew minutes to complete andmay identify lung canceratearlier , more curablestages . When compared to chestX-rays used in earlydetection , theLDCTscreening reduceslung cancerdeathsinhigh-risk individuals by 20 percent . Thescreeningtest is covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance ( a written referral is required ).
“ The beauty of low-dose lung screening is that it ’ s simple and effective ,” said Dr . Cerrone . Atlantic HealthSystemconducts more than150 screeningsper monthand approximately 2 % of screenings show early findings of lung cancer , similar to LDCT screeningresultsnationwide .
The exam takes less than10minutes once thepersonisinside theCT scanner and AtlanticHealth Systemoffers convenientschedulingatall locations .
All screening participants receive aletter explainingtheir resultsand recommended follow up care , and theirhealthcareprovidersreceive aformalinterpretation fromaboard-certified radiologist .
ALung Screening Nurse Navigator is available to answerquestions aboutscreening results and can also providereferrals to pulmonologists .
LUNG CANCER SCREENING QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications to participate in our lung cancer screening program include those who :
• are between the ages of 50 and 77
• are current smokers or have quit within the last 15 years
• have a minimum a 20-pack year or greater history of cigarette smoking ( packs years = packs per day / years smoking )
• have no history of lung cancer
LUNG CANCER SCREENING RESULTS
• All participants will receive a letter explaining the results and interpretation of the LDCT and screenings and follow-up care , if needed .
• Referring physicians will receive a formal interpretation within 24 hours of the exam .
• All participants will be entered into Atlantic Health System ’ s lung screening database , so they can receive annual reminders for follow-up care and notifications of events and programs offered by us .
For more information or to schedule an appointment , please call 1-844- 228-5864 . Aprescription or order from your physicianisrequiredfor the LDCT . We offermultiple screening locations for your convenience .
SPRING 2022 CHILTON MAGAZINE