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GREENSBURG – November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and in conjunction with that Decatur County Memorial Hospital is now offering lung screenings for $25.
The noninvasive, painless screenings are a Low-Dose Computed Tomography (CT) scan for individuals with a significant history of tobacco use.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States among both men and women. A majority of lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking and usually not detected until symptoms develop. By that time, the disease is often more advanced, making a cure much less likely.
Low-dose CT scans provide earlier detection, when lung cancer is most treatable and curable.
The National Lung Screen Trial (NLST) findings reveal that those who receive low-dose CT scans had a 15 to 20 percent lower risk of dying from lung cancer than those that received standard chest X-rays.
What are your risks?
You are considered high risk if you are:
• A current or former smoker age 55 to 77 AND you have a 30 pack per year history
• Older than 50 with a 20+ pack per year history plus:
o Radon or occupational carcinogen exposure (asbestos, arsenic, diesel fumes, etc.)
o Family history of lung cancer
o COPD or pulmonary fibrosis
o Personal history of cancer or lymphoma
Discuss your medical history, the risks of screening and benefits with your physician.
What You Can Do
• If you are a smoker, stop smoking!
• Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
• Make your home and work environment smoke-free.
• Test your home for radon.
• Be aware of industrial compounds.
“There is nothing more important than knowing the health of your lungs. The more risk factors you have, the greater your need for a screening,” says Dr. Robert Hbadon, DCMH Radiologist.
For more information about the $25 DCMH lung screening, call 812-663-1157.
Information provided by DCMH
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