Lung screening helps save lives

Posted by Crozer Keystone Staff on November 10, 2018

Lung Image

November is lung cancer awareness month. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women, following skin cancer, and is the leading cause of cancer death each year. More people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. That's why Crozer Keystone Health System developed its Lung Screening Program using low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scans. This screening program is for people who are at high risk. It can help find cancer earlier, when it can be treated more effectively, and help lower the risk of dying from the disease.

Lung Screening Program: Screen, Scan, Survive

The Lung Screening Program at Crozer-Keystone Health System is for people who are currently smokers or who have quit smoking within the past 15 years. The program has been designated as a Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance. It has also been designated as a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology. A navigator is available to assist people in scheduling their screening and guiding them through all necessary steps. Smoking cessation information is offered to all participants.

Who is eligible for the program

Our Program follows the high-risk inclusion criteria as established by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. That means that to be eligible for this program, you must be:

55 to 80 years of age and a current or former cigarette smoker who smoked at least 30 packs of cigarettes per year. This can be one pack a day for 30 years, two packs per day for 15 years, or one-half pack per day for 60 years.
If you are a former smoker, you must have quit within the past 15 years.
A physician’s order is needed to schedule for the screening.

Patients who do not fall into the high-risk group, as determined by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), will not be eligible for this program.

Why should someone consider being screened for lung cancer?

Lung cancer usually shows no obvious symptoms until it is in its later stages and is more difficult to treat. Early stage lung cancer is more likely to be treatable and curable. Studies show that screening high-risk patients using a low-dose CT scan can detect lung tumors earlier and can reduce the lung cancer mortality rate.

Most health insurance companies and Medicare cover the cost of lung cancer screening. If your insurance does not cover screening and you qualify for the program, Crozer-Keystone Health System's special rate is $125. You should contact your insurance company to confirm your coverage and to see if you need to obtain pre-authorization prior before you come for your scan.

Patients can go to any Crozer-Keystone radiology facility to get a low-dose CT scan.
A navigator can help you complete the lung screening program. You will be contacted prior to your appointment by our screening navigator as well as receive support from our nurse navigator if needed.
The scan is painless and takes about 20 seconds to complete. There is no blood work needed.
The results of your scan will typically be available within 24 hours, or the next business day. Your physician will contact you to discuss the results.

About Crozer Keystone Staff

Crozer-Keystone Health System’s physicians, specialists and advanced practitioners are committed to improving the health of our community through patient-centered, quality care across a full continuum of health services. Crozer Brinton Lake is Crozer-Keystone’s comprehensive outpatient care facility in western Delaware County, offering primary care, specialty services, outpatient surgery and advanced cancer treatment. Contact us: 300 Evergreen Drive, Glen Mills, PA 19342 http://www.crozerkeystone.org/Brinton-Lake 1-855-254-7425