Is Lung Cancer Screening Right for You?
Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer-related death in New Hampshire and the United States, accounting for 28% of all cancer deaths in men and 26% of all cancer deaths in women. Unlike many other types of cancer, like breast and colon cancer, people do not seek out screening as often. As a result, lung cancer is diagnosed often at a later stage when treatment is difficult.
The aim of lung cancer screening is to find lung cancer in its earlier stages, when it is easier to treat and often before any symptoms are noticeable. In December of 2014, the US Preventive Services Task Force set annual recommendations for lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography (LDCT).
Annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT:
- Ages 50-77, and
- Have a smoking history equal to or greater than 20 years (20 packs/year), and
- Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years.
Of course, we know that smoking causes lung cancer; yet nicotine is highly addictive and it is incredibly difficult for people to stop. That’s why, in addition to the benefits of our Lung Cancer Screening Program, CMC also offers several resources to help you quit smoking in a respectful, supportive setting.
For more information, call CMC Radiology Nursing: 603.663.5219
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Why choose CMC?
Offering screening for early detection, diagnosis & treatment
Talk to your doctor about whether lung cancer screening is right for you. CMC, in partnership with Southern New Hampshire Radiology Consultants, is excited to offer the benefits of a quick and painless low-dose CT (LDCT) screening. A LDCT scan of your chest is covered by most insurance plans and may be ordered annually if you qualify. This procedure only takes a few minutes and exposes you to a much lower dose of radiation than a traditional chest CT scan. Early detection with low-dose lung screening CT screening helps find lung cancer early, allowing for treatment options with lower morbidity and mortality, improving patient outcomes.
CT Findings
If you have a finding on your CT that needs further evaluation, your doctor will talk to you about next steps. CMC physicians work together closely so you can receive the care you need. From additional testing or interventions in Radiology to advanced treatment with our cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons and our partnerships with pulmonary and cancer physicians, you can be assured that you can receive the quality care you need, close to home.
Minimally Invasive Robotic Assisted Thoracic Surgery
Minimally invasive, robotic-assisted thoracic surgery provides extreme precision in removing suspicious masses or tumors on the lung. The incision is small, with less disturbance to the rest of the chest cavity compared to traditional thoracic surgery. Benefits of this procedure include:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Fewer potential complications
- Less pain during recovery
Thermal Ablation
Thermal ablation targets a soft tissue tumor and burns it with heat or freezes it with cold, killing the cancerous cells.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Your healthcare team will decide the best way to treat your cancer, which may include surgery and/or radiation and other therapies. Catholic Medical Center partners with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center to provide comprehensive cancer treatment designed for you.