Like well-known preventive measures such as mammograms and colonoscopies, lung screening has a unique power: it saves lives by detecting disease earlier, when treatment is more effective.
The Temple Healthy Chest Initiative has screened over 10,000 patients in the Philadelphia region in an effort to promote lung health and reduce deaths related to lung disease. Launched in November 2021, the program was created in response to changes in U.S. Preventative Services Task Force guidelines that nearly doubled the number of Americans eligible for lung health screenings covered by insurance.
Under the guidelines, those eligible for screenings include:
- Adults who are 50 to 80 years old
- Current smokers or those who have quit within the past 15 years
- People with a smoking history number of more than 20 pack years. (Pack years are the number of years smoked multiplied by the average number of packs smoked per day. For example, someone who smoked two packs a day for 10 years would have a smoking history number of 20 pack years.)
Unlike other preventive screenings, lung screenings are simple: they generally take less than 10 minutes and there is no preparation, like fasting or medication adjustments, required before screening. And with dedicated Nurse Navigators, patients enjoy a supportive and personalized experience. If a lung screening does reveal any concerning findings, patients find out right away, typically within a few days, and their Nurse Navigator will be with them for any recommended next steps.
“We want our patients to feel empowered to get their lung health checked, and these screenings are an important step in preventing scary outcomes, especially if the patient is at high risk for lung disease,” says Dr. Maria Vega-Sanchez, pulmonologist at the Temple Lung Center. “Even if their results are normal, we call them to let them know and make sure they don’t have any more concerns. We may ask a few more questions to see if they qualify for annual screenings, too.”
The type of scans used for these screenings are safe enough to receive annual screenings, with a very low amount of radiation exposure – and the tiny risk of this exposure is worth the reward in case something is found. “Our scans can detect a number of diseases that occur in the chest, from COPD and emphysema, to heart disease, kidney disease, sleep apnea, and lung cancer – even in its earlier stages before symptoms even have a chance to develop,” says Dr. Vega-Sanchez.
Lung cancer is an especially important disease to catch early. Lung cancer kills more Americans than breast, colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancers combined. This is largely due to the fact that once a patient notices somethings wrong, like difficulty breathing or a long term cough, the cancer has already reached an advanced stage, when there are less treatment options. But when caught early in a lung screening, patients have many options that can treat the cancer. “That’s why these screenings are so important – we can give patients a second chance by treating their cancer early. A lung cancer diagnosis can be scary, but it is no longer a death sentence thanks to advancements in lung care and lung screenings. I wish more of our community was aware of this,” says Vega-Sanchez.
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The Temple Lung Center is a premier destination for lung care, led by internationally recognized physician-researchers who continuously pioneer new approaches to treatment. With several locations in and around Philadelphia, the region has access to world-class specialists and breakthrough treatment options that may not be available at other hospitals and health systems in the region.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, the free screenings offered by the Temple Healthy Chest Initiative are a simple and proactive step towards protecting your health. Screenings are available at several convenient locations. To schedule an appointment, call 215-707-6805.
By: Dr. Maria Vega-Sanchez
Noticias Newswire
