November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month – An Early CT Lung Screening Can Save Your Life

Starting Thursday November 1st, the June E. Nylen Cancer Center along with the National Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) will promote “Shine A Light for Lung Cancer Awareness.” This is a national campaign to educate the community on the importance of early detection and risk factors for lung cancer.

  • Lung Cancer is the leading cancer diagnosis in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota according to the American Cancer Society.

  • Lung cancer leads to the most deaths in both men and women in every ethnic group, even in non-smokers. As many as 20% of people who pass away from lung cancer in the United States every year have never smoked or used any other form of tobacco.

  • It takes the lives of more people than prostate, colon and breast cancer combined.

  • Lung cancer often has no symptoms until it has spread. Because of the size of the lungs, tumors can grow for a while without causing symptoms. When lung cancer symptoms do occur, they vary depending on the type of lung cancer and location and size of the tumor. Some lung cancer symptoms are similar to those of other common illnesses.

Factors that can increase your risk for lung cancer:

  • Smoking

  • Second Hand Smoke or Passive Smoking

  • Familial Disposition

  • Exposure to Asbestos

  • Exposure to Radon Gas

  • Prolonged exposure to air pollution from vehicles, industry, power plants, chemicals

  • History of other lung disease

“Annual screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) can find lung cancers in their earliest stage when the cancer is most easily treated,” states Krista McCullough, Executive Director at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. “A CT Scan for lung cancer is a safe and non-invasive procedure with a minimal amount of radiation exposure.”McCullough expands that the Lung Screening is recommended for current or former smokers between the ages of 55 and 77 and if someone has lung concerns or risk factors, they should speak with their physician about being screened. A physician order is required as this screening is covered by most insurances. The Lung Cancer Screening is available at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center at any time of year, but they are offering a special rate in the month of November if not covered by insurance. Call the June E. Nylen Cancer Center’s Radiology Department at (712) 252-9396 to schedule your CT Lung Screening.The June E. Nylen Cancer Center is an American College of Radiology (ACR) designated center for lung cancer screening, meeting the highest standards in providing safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer. The Cancer Center has completed about 400 CT Lung Screenings over the last 2 years, with 1 out of 10 finding positive results that required additional follow up. 

HELP US PROMOTE LUNG CANCER AWARENESS AND HOW AN EARLY CT LUNG SCREENING COULD SAVE LIVES BY POSTING THESE POSTERS.

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