For people at high risk of developing lung cancer, the most effective screening may be a low-dose CT scan, according to the latest research published from the National Lung Screening Trial in The New England Journal of Medicine.
People who are referred by their physician for being at high risk for lung cancer can take advantage of the low-dose CT lung cancer screening at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Centers at Dallas, Irving and Plano. The program in Irving has been in effect since the fall of 2012.
“We are excited to be able to offer what is currently the most promising form of lung cancer screening for high risk patients,” said Dr. Mark Engleman, MD, medical director of oncology, Baylor Plano. “Lung cancer is one of our most challenging cancers and adding this program an important step to help us change that.”
“We hope that this new program will to make it more convenient for patients in our community who are at high risk to get screened regularly in order to diagnosis lung cancers earlier and improve survival rates,” said Jerri Garison, President Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano.
Candidates for the screening include current and former smokers over the age of 55, people over 50 years old that have smoked the equivalent of one pack per day for 30 years or three packs a day for 10 years, and people with occupational exposure to other carcinogenic agents, including asbestos and diesel fumes. Important consideration for screening is whether the level of individual risk is high enough for screening to be of benefit. A physician referral is required.
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, more than breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers – combined. . A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute proved that screening people at high risk of lung cancer with low-dose CT scans reduced mortality from lung cancer by 20%. This study estimates that early detection and treatment of lung cancer could save more than 70,000 lives a year.
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As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com