Baptist Health Paducah to offer lung cancer screenings November 12

Baptist Health Paducah is scheduling appointments for low-dose lung CT screenings in observance of National Lung Cancer Screening Day on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Baptist Imaging Center. Individuals interested in the screening must meet criteria and make an appointment.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of deaths from cancer accounting for 25 percent of cancer deaths in the U.S., in comparison to breast, prostate and colon, and has the lowest 5-year survival rate. Early detection is the key to better survival. 

"Screening is utilized to find lung cancer early. If found early, it increases survival for 5 years or more by more than 60 percent," said radiologist Chip Halfhill, MD, with Radiology Group of Paducah. "Low dose-CT is a special type of X-ray that takes multiple X-rays as you lie flat on a table. It produces a picture that allows the doctor to see small spots or nodules on the lung as small as 2 to 3 mm in size."

Low-dose CT screenings are quick and are covered by most insurance plans based on the following criteria:

- 50 to 77 years old
- 20-pack year smoking history  (defined as smoking one pack a day for 30 years, or 2 packs a day for 15 years, or 3 packs a day for 10 years)
- Current or former smoker who has quit within the last 15 years, and 
- No signs or symptoms of lung cancer such as recent weight loss, hoarseness or persistent cough
 
Baptist Health Paducah is an American College of Radiology lung cancer screening center of excellence by the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer and is a dedicated Lung Cancer Screening center by the American College of Radiology.

Appointments are limited. If you meet the criteria, you will need a doctor's order for the painless, non-invasive test. To schedule an appointment or to get assistance in getting a doctor's order, call the Baptist Health lung navigator at 270.415.7631.