NJ- FREE Lung Cancer Screening - tell your family!

[CindyA]

Lung cancer is the only one of the four deadliest cancers in the United States that is not subject to routine screenings.

According to the National Lung Screening Trial, Low-dose Computed Tomography lung screenings can save the lives of those who are at risk for developing lung cancer, yet most private insurers, Medicare and Medicaid services won’t cover the procedure.

“There have never been recommendations of lung screenings like there are for breast, colon and cervical cancers,” said Dr. Trina Poretta, board certified oncologist/hematologist and medical director of the Kennedy Cancer Program.

A 2002 study showed that lung cancer screenings helped to reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 percent.

“The majority of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stages,” Poretta said. “We finally have the support of the United States Prevention Task Force and hope to get insurance coverage for these screenings.”

In an effort to help bring awareness and accessibility of lung screenings to high risk patients, Kennedy Health System now offer these screenings at the Kennedy Outpatient Imaging Center in Washington Township free of charge.

Lung screenings are quick, easy and result in minimal exposure to radiation. Those who meet the criteria established by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network may qualify for a free screening.

“Patients get a low-dose cat scan which uses less radiation, decreasing the risk of radiation exposure to the patient,” Poretta said. “We look at the lungs and lymph nodes around the lungs for nodules, patchy density in the lungs which could be tumor material, or any changes in the lungs that warrant a biopsy.”

Screenings are recommended for the following individuals:

You are between 55 and 74 years old.

You have smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 or more years, or two packs a day for 15 years.

You are currently a smoker, or have quit within the past 15 years.

You do not have a history of lung cancer.

The regular out-of-pocket expense for the High-Risk Lung Cancer Screening at Kennedy is $300, payable at the time of the study, but this cost will be waived for community members who meet the screening eligibility requirements.

While the LDCT lung screening exam is free, any additional testing or evaluation performed as a result of recommendations arising from the LDCT lung screening exam is not free of charge and will be billed to your insurance in the customary fashion.

For more information, call 856-218-5324 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.Lung cancer is the only one of the four deadliest cancers in the United States that is not subject to routine screenings.

According to the National Lung Screening Trial, Low-dose Computed Tomography lung screenings can save the lives of those who are at risk for developing lung cancer, yet most private insurers, Medicare and Medicaid services won’t cover the procedure.

“There have never been recommendations of lung screenings like there are for breast, colon and cervical cancers,” said Dr. Trina Poretta, board certified oncologist/hematologist and medical director of the Kennedy Cancer Program.

A 2002 study showed that lung cancer screenings helped to reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 percent.

“The majority of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stages,” Poretta said. “We finally have the support of the United States Prevention Task Force and hope to get insurance coverage for these screenings.”

In an effort to help bring awareness and accessibility of lung screenings to high risk patients, Kennedy Health System now offer these screenings at the Kennedy Outpatient Imaging Center in Washington Township free of charge.

Lung screenings are quick, easy and result in minimal exposure to radiation. Those who meet the criteria established by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network may qualify for a free screening.

“Patients get a low-dose cat scan which uses less radiation, decreasing the risk of radiation exposure to the patient,” Poretta said. “We look at the lungs and lymph nodes around the lungs for nodules, patchy density in the lungs which could be tumor material, or any changes in the lungs that warrant a biopsy.”

Screenings are recommended for the following individuals:

You are between 55 and 74 years old.

You have smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 or more years, or two packs a day for 15 years.

You are currently a smoker, or have quit within the past 15 years.

You do not have a history of lung cancer.

The regular out-of-pocket expense for the High-Risk Lung Cancer Screening at Kennedy is $300, payable at the time of the study, but this cost will be waived for community members who meet the screening eligibility requirements.

While the LDCT lung screening exam is free, any additional testing or evaluation performed as a result of recommendations arising from the LDCT lung screening exam is not free of charge and will be billed to your insurance in the customary fashion.

For more information, call 856-218-5324 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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