Piedmont Cancer
Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer Screening
Each year approximately 226,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. (Source: American Cancer Society)
Known as the "silent killer", lung cancer can develop without symptoms early in the disease. Most cases of lung cancer are found in later stages in the absence of any symptoms. To help detect lung cancer earlier and increase the chances of long-term survival, Piedmont Healthcare offers lung cancer screenings using low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan of the lungs for high-risk individuals.
Medicare criteria* for lung cancer screening eligibility:
- Age: 55-77
- ≥ 30 pack-year** smoking history
- Current Smoker or prior smoker who quit within the last 15 years
- No current symptoms of lung cancer
*Criteria for other insurers may differ.
**Pack-year = number of packs per day x number of years smoking
According to the National Lung Screening Trial, annual screening using low-dose CT reduces lung cancer mortality by 20 percent when compared to annual screening using chest x-ray. A physician referral is required for a lung cancer screening. Please talk to your doctor if you believe you meet the above criteria. For more information, call 404-425-1800.
For Piedmont Athens Regional, call 706-475-1000, option 5 for more information. This is the referral order your physician must fax to the Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center Chest Center.
