Take Control of Your Lung Health - Here is What to Know
Imagine this: You’re sitting in your doctor’s office, but instead of waiting for them to bring it up, you ask about getting a CT Lung Screening. Being your own advocate is powerful, especially when it comes to your health.
If you're at risk—whether you're a current or former smoker—this screening could be the key to early detection of lung cancer. Let’s dive into the details and explain why this test and our Lung Cancer Screening Program can be a crucial part of maintaining your lung health. Just like mammography or colonoscopy, it’s a simple preventive measure that can have a big impact on your future well-being.
The Importance of Lung Screening
A CT (Cat Scan) Lung Screening exam is not just a routine test. It is a specialized annual scan designed for individuals who fall into the category of high-risk for lung cancer. This quick, painless exam uses low-dose radiation and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. It can detect lung cancer in the early stages, when it is most treatable and often curable. Unfortunately, despite its life-saving potential, in New York State, only a mere 6.2% of those eligible undergo this screening. The low screening rate could be a result of lack of awareness, fear, or stigma.
Who Exactly Should Consider Getting Screened?
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have set clear guidelines. They recommend that people ages 50-80 (50-77 for CMS) who are current smokers or former smokers who have quit within the last 15 years should get screened. To qualify, you need at least a 20-pack year smoking history. If you are wondering what a pack year is, it’s a way to measure smoking history. So, if you've smoked 1 pack a day for 20 years or 1/2 a pack a day for 40 years, you have a 20-pack year history, making you eligible for this critical screening.
As a preventative health service, consultations and low-dose CT screening for eligible patients are typically covered by insurance with no out of pocket expense to patients. Please call our Insurance and Financial Clearance team at 212-746-6000, option 2, to discuss specific coverage questions.
Pack Year Calculation:
Not sure if you meet the criteria, or worried you might not? No need to stress—our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to us, and we will walk you through the next steps to ensure you feel confident and supported throughout the entire process.
Our Lung Cancer Screening Program
Our program at Weill Cornell Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian is an individualized and comprehensive program of overall thoracic (chest) health. In addition to monitoring and assessing lung nodule risks, we review other incidental findings in the chest such as emphysema, coronary arterial calcium (which can be a marker of heart disease), as well as other findings. Our team also helps the patient navigate follow-up to identify a specialist quickly to treat the finding(s) should it be necessary.
Within our personalized approach, we offer post scan discussions with our radiologists, individualized risk assessments for those who are outside the defined screening criteria, and tobacco cessation services. We offer both individual and group counseling options run by a team of nurse practitioners, who are trained as Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists (CTTS). Our goal is to help people quit and stay quit through an evidence-based approach. Treatment and follow-up sessions can be completed in the office or remotely.
What to Expect from our Program:
Shared Decision-Making Consultation
Participants referred to the program will consult via phone or video visit with a Nurse Practitioner to assess eligibility, discuss the risks and benefits of screening, and as appropriate provide a prescription.
Low-dose CT scan
Participants undergo a low-dose CT that will be reviewed by a selected group of sub-specialty radiologists within 24-48 hours. The exam is performed in an open, doughnut shaped scanner, takes less than 5 minutes, and does not require any preparation, injections or oral contrast.
Results
Findings are reported to both the participant and referring physician with recommendations for follow-up. These recommendations are based upon continued review of current literature and quality meetings by the Lung Cancer Screening Program Steering Committee staffed by a multidisciplinary team of pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, oncologists and radiologists.
Image Review and Follow-up
Participants may schedule a visit to discuss results in person or remotely. Should a participant require additional testing or treatment, our staff will serve as point people for streamlined communication and comprehensive care with our multidisciplinary team.
Tobacco Treatment
Our staff can provide support and smoking cessation counseling which typically involves:
1 Intake Session - to determine if this is the best program for you and give you the opportunity to ask questions.
3-6 Treatment Sessions - to get you the help you need, including developing skills to quit and stay quit.
Follow-up Sessions - to increase your chances of staying quit permanently.
Take Control of Your Health
Here is why you should consider speaking with our team. Since the program's inception in 2013, we have helped identify several early staged, treatable lung cancers facilitating quick diagnosis, and treatment. Our program has also expanded to cover incidental lung nodule surveillance, coronary artery, and emphysema scoring. Our team will efficiently help facilitate any further care you may need.
Knowledge is power and early detection is key. If you or someone you love meets the criteria, now is your time to take control of your health and schedule your screening with Weill Cornell Imaging.
For a consultation or for more information, please contact us:
Phone: (646) 962-2273
Email: radconsult@med.cornell.edu
Please also visit LungCheck.org, a resource for patients and healthcare providers.