Routine Lung Cancer Screenings: Temple Health Encourages Smokers to Take Control of their Health with Annual Low-Dose CT Scans

Temple Health is urging long-time smokers and former smokers to undergo annual lung cancer screenings. The health system offers a range of tests, including low-dose CT scans and a lung function test to detect COPD. Those who have smoked the equivalent of a pack a day for 20 years or more, as well as heavy smokers who quit within the past 15 years, are eligible for these screenings. Medicare and most insurance companies cover the cost of CT scans.

Melissa Liverpool, a nurse navigator with the Temple Healthy Chest Initiative, emphasizes the importance of regular screenings. She notes that only about 6% of eligible individuals get screened annually, with even fewer getting them regularly. By comparing scans from previous years, doctors can detect any changes or abnormalities in the lungs and other internal organs.

Aside from detecting lung cancer, these CT scans can also identify other health issues such as thyroid nodules and osteoporosis. Liverpool highlights that these scans provide a comprehensive view of internal organs like the liver, gallbladder, and coronary artery. This allows doctors to diagnose potential health problems early on so patients can receive timely treatment and care.

To encourage greater participation in yearly screenings, Temple Health provides education and support to patients. This includes reminder calls, letters, and text messages. Liverpool is optimistic that increased participation will lead to earlier detection of lung cancer and other conditions that can be treated at an early stage.

Overall, Temple Health’s goal is to make lung cancer screening routine and accessible like other forms of cancer screening such as breast and cervical exams.

In conclusion, Temple Health is encouraging long-time smokers and former smokers to undergo annual lung cancer screenings using low-dose CT scans along with a lung function test to detect COPD. These tests are covered by Medicare and most insurance companies.

Melissa Liverpool emphasizes the importance of regular screening as only about 6% of eligible individuals get screened annually with even fewer getting them regularly.

By comparing scans from previous years doctors can detect any changes or abnormalities in the lungs and other internal organs which allows early diagnosis of potential health problems so patients can receive timely treatment.

Temple Health provides education and support through reminder calls, letters