St. Mary’s Health has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.
“The new guidelines promoting low radiation dose CT scan screening allow for a painless, fast examination for detection of pulmonary nodules in those patients at highest risk for lung cancer,†said Dr. Jeffery Hemmerlein, a radiologist with Southern Indiana Imaging Consultants. “Malignant nodules that may not be visible for years on routine chest X-rays can now be detected and treated much earlier. St. Mary’s accredited lung cancer screening process puts into place timely pulmonologist physician follow- up and management if any abnormalities are detected. This early detection and treatment of malignant nodules has been proven to decrease the risk of dying from lung cancer, the number one cancer killer of both men and women.â€
In order to receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Also required are procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs.
Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. In December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening of adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
