CT Lung Screening Saves Lives
Comprehensive Medical Care
One of the reasons lung cancer is so deadly is it grows silently. “Basically,
by the time you develop signs and symptoms, the cancer is advanced,”
says Lee Fox, MD, chief of radiology at Jupiter Medical Center. However,
Dr. Fox says there is reason for hope. “Studies have shown that
the key to early detection is using computed tomography or CT scans to
screen high-risk patients. If we can start diagnosing the disease earlier,
we can begin treatment earlier and save lives.”
Computed tomography, or CT lung screening is proven to aid in finding lung
cancers in their earliest stages, when more than 80 percent of cases can
be cured. At Jupiter Medical Center, individuals who have a high risk
of developing lung cancer but no signs or symptoms of the disease undergo
low-dose CT scanning of the chest. “Low-dose CT produces images
of high quality to detect many lung diseases and abnormalities using up
to 90 percent less ionizing radiation than a conventional chest CT scan,”
says Dr. Fox. Jupiter Medical Center’s Thoracic Surgery and Lung
Center of Excellence follows the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
guidelines for lung cancer screening.
Who can benefit from CT lung screening?
- People who smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years or two packs
a day for 10 years
- Those exposed to asbestos, radon, silica, cadmium, arsenic, beryllium,
chromium, diesel fumes or nickel
- People with regular exposure to secondhand smoke
- Anyone with related issues such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis
- People with a family history of lung cancer
At Jupiter Medical Center, CT exams are read by board-certified, fellowship-trained
radiologists. “Our program is recognized as a Screening Center of
Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance and is a designated Lung Cancer
Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR),” explains
Dr. Fox. “The ACR designation means our screening program meets
the highest standards in providing safe, effective diagnostic care.”
Contact Us
If you are a current or former smoker, or have a family history of lung
cancer, low-dose CT lung screening at Jupiter Medical Center could help
save your life. Medicare pays for CT lung screening for patients who meet
certain criteria, and many private insurance plans now cover the cost.
Our health navigator can help you understand your risk and your coverage.
If you do not have coverage for screening, Jupiter Medical Center offers
a self-pay price of $99. For more information please call 561-263-4437.