Free LC Screening - OHIO

[CindyA]

CHILLICOTHE — When Adena Health System began its free lung cancer screening program in November, no one knew what the effect would be on the community.

The program that provides free CT scans for people at high risk for the disease has answered that question, having tested more than 350 patients in its first six months and uncovering five confirmed cases, as well as several others with suspicious results that have undergone further testing.

“By offering scans for free, Adena is making sure anyone who may be in a high-risk category has access to this life-saving test,” said Dr. Jeffrey VanDeusen, Adena Cancer Center’s medical director. “Looking at other programs in the country, we knew we would have the greatest impact if our program was offered at no cost. Programs that charge for screens generally see a fraction of the patients of those offering them for free.”

People in the high-risk target patient population are between 55 and 74 years old, have 30 or more “pack years” of smoking in their past and are current smokers or have quit smoking within the past 15 years.

The screening is a noninvasive CT scan, which can easily identify tumors or lesions that may need medical attention. In addition to confirming or disproving the possibility of lung cancer, the test has found heart aneurysms, liver nodules, lung disease and even a diagnosis of breast cancer in patients tested at Adena. Like a mammogram, patients are recommended to have a screening each year for the greatest chance of survival in the case of a lung cancer diagnosis.

Adena’s Lung Cancer screening program has been designated a Screening Center of Excellence by lung cancer advocacy group. The Lung Cancer Alliance designates Centers of Excellence to identify the places a patient can go for a lung cancer screening that will offer them well-coordinated care and disease management.

Patients meeting the screening criteria should schedule a free lung cancer screening by calling 740-542-5864. For more informationabout the Adena Cancer Center, go to: http://www.adena.org/services/page.dT/lung-cancer