Since 1999, smokers and former smokers have had the opportunity to have a low-dose helical CT lung cancer screening at Dearborn County Hospital.  Now, 13 years later, the American Lung Association is recommending the screening for smokers and former smokers who meet specific guidelines.

“In early 1999, our team of Radiologists at Dearborn County Hospital became aware of a clinical trial being performed that indicated helical CT, also known as spiral CT, could be used to detect lung cancer in its earlier stages,” explained Roger D. Howard, Dearborn County Hospital President/CEO.

“At that time, detecting lung cancer in stage I or II was extremely uncommon.  When lung cancer was detected early, it was usually the result of imaging work performed to diagnose or treat some other illness or abnormality.  Even today, lung cancers are usually detected when they reach stage III or IV because that is when the majority of individuals begin to experience symptoms.  Also, in many cases, it is when the cancer first becomes detectable on a standard chest X-ray.  Screening with helical CT allows cancers to be detected earlier, in many instances before they are visible on a chest X-ray and before the individual has noticeable symptoms.  

“Knowing firsthand the significant number of individuals in our service area diagnosed each year with late stage lung cancers, our Radiologists examined the findings of the clinical trial and then worked with the hospital to develop a protocol making low-dose helical CT lung cancer screenings available at a reasonable cost for our patients.  Thirteen years later, the screening is still available at its original cost of $150,” he added. 

“By implementing our screening program early, we know that we have saved lives.  Our goal continues to be to screen as many individuals as medically appropriate, hopefully saving more lives in the process,” emphasized Mr. Howard.

Initially, the program was open only to smokers and former smokers who had a history of 10 pack-years, however, it was expanded in recent years to include individuals who had been exposed to extensive secondhand smoke. Ten pack-years is equivalent to someone smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years, two packs of cigarettes per day for 5 years, etc.

A helical CT lung cancer screening is noninvasive, painless and requires no preparation on the part of the participant. Actual test time is 20 seconds and most patients will not need to disrobe. Individuals must have a physician’s order for the screening, however, that physician is not required to be a member of the DCH medical staff.  The screening is not covered by most insurance plans.

“While DCH’s guidelines are more inclusive than those outlined by the American Lung Association, our physicians are pleased that the ALA is recognizing the importance of CT screening in the early detection of lung cancer,” Mr. Howard concluded.  “We hope this recognition will encourage more individuals to take part in this potentially life saving screening.”

For more information, please call or have your physician call the Radiology/Imaging Department of Dearborn County Hospital at 812/537-8105 or 800/676-5572, ext. 8105.  To schedule an appointment for a helical CT lung cancer screening, please call DCH at 812/532-2611 or   800/676-5572, ext. 2611.