Should You Be Screened for Lung Cancer?

Early Detection

People often put off screenings — even for lung cancer — because they feel well and have no symptoms. However, finding cancer early means it can be treated earlier when it is small and before it has spread. For those with an increased risk for lung cancer, such as current or former smokers, an annual lung cancer screening is recommended. This provides a good baseline to see if new lung nodules have appeared or if existing lung nodules have grown. The screening can even detect other issues such as emphysema and COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A Low-Dose CT Scan

To screen for lung cancer, a low-dose CT, or computerized tomography, scan is performed. It’s an easy process, with the patient lying on a table while the machine takes photographs of their lungs using 90 percent less radiation than a conventional CT scan. It typically takes less than 60 seconds and results are usually available within 24 hours.

How To Get Screened

Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals offer a Lung Cancer Screening Program in conjunction with Siteman Cancer Center.

To be eligible for a free lung cancer screening through the program, you must:

• Be 50 to 77 years of age
• Be a current smoker or former smoker who has quit within the past 15 years
• Have a minimum 20 pack-year smoking history (number of packs per day multiplied by number of years smoked)
• Have no symptoms of lung cancer

If you meet this criteria, all you need is an order from your physician. The screening is covered by both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as most private insurance companies with no deductible or co-pay.

While being screened can be scary, it’s important for your health. Significant strides have been made in lung cancer treatment, and early detection plays a vital role in a positive outcome.

Ellen Brennan is a nurse navigator for the Siteman Cancer Center Lung Cancer Screening Program at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals. For more information about lung cancer screening, call 636.916.7098.