In recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, Valley Medical Center and Vantage Radiology are taking part in National Lung Cancer Screening Day by hosting a low-dose CT lung screening event.
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and is estimated to claim the lives of more than 125,000 Americans this year. Did you know that even though survival rates can be improved significantly by screening, only a small percentage of eligible individuals get screened for lung cancer? Learn more about screening and if you’re eligible below.
WHAT: Lung Cancer Screening Event
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 9, 8 AM to Noon
WHERE: Valley Medical Center – Olympic Building
REGISTER: To register, please call 425.690.3505. Please have insurance information ready.
Uninsured? A limited number of screenings have been funded by the Whedon Cancer Detection Foundation.
What is lung cancer screening?
Lung cancer screening looks for signs of lung cancer before you feel symptoms from the disease. A CT machine scans the body and uses low-dose radiation to make a series of detailed pictures of the lungs. Screening allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment, which may slow or even stop the cancer from progressing.
Who is eligible to receive lung cancer screening?
This includes individuals who:
- Are between the ages of 50 and 80 years old; and
- Have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (A “pack year” is smoking an average of 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 1 year. For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking 1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years); and
- Are current smokers or former smokers who have quit smoking completely within the last 15 consecutive years.
During our screening event, patients will meet with a provider prior to screening to ensure they meet the criteria and to have any questions answered about the exam.
I am a retired RN who worked 14 years in home care; 10 years with Seattle King County Visiting Nurse Service followed by 4 years at the Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center Hospital Based Home Care Program.
I have never smoked, however, I developed an allergy to tobacco smoke affecting my head, eyes, nose and throat.
Home care patients often were smokers, lived inside smoke filled residences. For years I was exposed to toxic second hand smoke. The VA provided government vehicles that exposed me to second hand smoke toxins
absorbed into the inside of vehicle commonly driven by US Government employees who were smokers.
When I asked the Chief Nurse at the SVAMC to promote non-smoking in the Government vehicles due to my allergic reaction; I was promptly reassigned to the SVAMC Emergency Room as a Staff RN. Is there any screening for myself at age 82?
Hi Kathie, thank you for reading our newsletter and for sending in your question. We reached out to our Cancer Services team regarding screening and here is what they said: “We follow the USPSTF (United States Preventive Services Task Force) screening guidelines for lung cancer. Current recommendations do not include patients exposed to secondhand smoke. Those who don’t fit the USPSTF criteria but feel they have a reason to be concerned about lung cancer should discuss the possibility of screening with their primary care provider.”