ROYAL OAK — More people die of lung cancer each year in the U.S. than any other type of cancer, yet when it’s caught early, there are more treatment options and much higher survival rates.
To promote early detection and potentially save lives, Beaumont Health System now offers a $50 lung cancer screening that uses low-dose computed tomography imaging, or CT, for earlier diagnosis of lung cancers. This screening will be offered at the three Beaumont hospitals in Royal Oak, Troy, and Grosse Pointe.
A CT scan is a diagnostic test that uses X-ray beams, which are a form of radiation similar to light or radio waves, to create cross-sectional images horizontally and vertically of the body. CT scans are very detailed and can help physicians diagnose many conditions that may not be easily diagnosed with other imaging methods. CT scanning has been shown to be the best way to find small lung cancers and save lives.
“Without early detection, most lung cancer patients soon die from their lung cancer,” says Craig Stevens, M.D., health system chair for radiation oncology. “By introducing an affordable, high-quality lung cancer screening program, more patients can be diagnosed early enough to save their lives.”
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended yearly screening for adults between the age of 55 and 80 who are at high risk for lung cancer.
Patients who meet guidelines developed by the National Lung Screening Trial and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network who are considered high-risk for lung cancer include:
CT screening for lung cancer detection is not currently covered by insurance and eligible patients must be referred by a physician.
“At Beaumont Health System, we know that radiation exposure is a concern for patients and physicians,” says Duane Mezwa M.D., health system chair for imaging services, Beaumont Health System and professor, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. “We offer the most advanced CT imaging available and follow stringent radiation safety principles. We are proud to be a leader in reducing radiation exposure while maintaining the highest quality of images through our research and technology.”
