Froedtert South Pulmonary Group Promotes Lung Cancer Screening Awareness

LUNG CANCER SCREENING EVENT

The American College of Radiology (ACR) hosts this annual national event. Dr. Davuluri, Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital Pulmonologist, Intensivist, and Sleep Medicine Physician said, “The ACR is a champion for the entire country. Their effort to promote accessible lung cancer screenings improves communities. It is wonderful that Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital is offering this lung cancer screening day.”

On November 9th, 2024, quick ten-minute lung cancer screening exams will be offered for only $99. Payment with cash, check or credit card is required at check-in. Insurance will not be billed. “You are encouraged to take advantage of this one-day special if you are aged 50 to 80 years and have a history of smoking,” said Dr. Davuluri. “Early detection saves lives! Help your loved ones by spreading the word about this screening event. It is a nominal fee for detection that could save a life.”

The lung cancer screening consists of a low dose computerized tomography (CT) scan that uses ninety percent less ionizing radiation dose than a conventional CT chest scan and produces cross-sectional images of the lungs. A radiologist reviews each scan, and patients are notified of their results. “If any of the scans reveal a spot, we have a comprehensive program in place right here at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital to guide patients through the next steps,” said Dr. Davuluri.

Walk-ins are welcome at the November 9th event, but reservations are preferred. Contact Jennifer Morales, Froedtert South Lung Nodule Coordinator, at 262.577.8470 to ask questions or to make an appointment.     

IMPORTANCE OF SCREENING

“I cannot stress enough the importance of lung cancer screening,” said Dr. Davuluri. “The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends annual screening for lung cancer in adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a twenty pack-year smoking history and who currently smoke or who have quit within the past fifteen years. Pack-years are calculated with the number of years of smoking times the number of packs per day. For example, smoking one pack per day for twenty years would be twenty pack-years, and smoking a half pack a day for forty years would also be twenty pack-years. Regardless, if you are in that target age range with a history of smoking, I encourage you to get screened.”

In the past six months, Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital has implemented an annual lung cancer screening program. The goal of the program is early diagnosis. “Studies show annual lung cancer screening with low-dose CT results in a significant stage shift- meaning the stage the cancer is in when it is detected. Annual screenings also improve survival rates with a significant reduction in lung cancer-specific mortality rates. Screening for more years in a row results in even greater reductions in mortality,” said Dr. Davuluri. “The team here is dedicated to connecting the people of this community with access to lung cancer screenings along with a comprehensive system of care to guide them from diagnosis through treatment.”

EARLY DIAGNOSIS IMPROVES PROGNOSIS

“Time matters! The stage the lung cancer is in will ultimately determine whether the patient is a good candidate for treatment,” said Dr. Davuluri. “It is ideal to diagnose lung cancer at a very early stage one. We know the prognosis is good if the cancer is diagnosed early. If the cancer is not diagnosed until it is at a later stage, there is an increased risk of lung cancer-specific death. Time is of the essence after diagnosis as well. According to an article published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2015 by Samson et al., delays as short as six weeks between diagnosis and intervention have been associated with a thirteen percent decrease in five-year survival rates. Delays in diagnosis and treatment lead to the likelihood the cancer will advance in stage and therefore reduce survival rates. The program here at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital boasts screening to treatment in days versus months. Time is everything when working to identify and treat lung cancer and save lives. It is also never too late to quit smoking. No matter your smoking history, quitting smoking will have a positive impact.”

HELP IS HERE FOR YOU

Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital has a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care team to ensure patients go from screening to treatment within days not months. “Our team of pulmonologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, primary care physicians, thoracic surgeons, radiologists, and interventional radiologists are ready to provide leading edge care for this community,” said Dr. Davuluri. “If you meet the criteria, please attend the November 9th screening event and encourage a smoker you know to get screened, too. Help is here for you, and the sooner you access this program the better.”