Tennova Healthcare Recommends Annual Screenings for Adults at High Risk for Lung Cancer

10/26/2016

KNOXVILLE, TN (October 26, 2016) – Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., with more than 150,000 people losing their lives to the disease each year. That’s more than breast, prostate, colon and ovarian cancer deaths combined.

Tennessee is number six on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2013 rankings (the most recent available), based on the incidence of lung cancer. While there are more cases of breast and prostate cancers in Tennessee than there are lung cancer cases, the number of deaths from lung cancer is higher.

Tennova Healthcare wants East Tennesseans to know that lung cancer frequently has no symptoms in its early stages, which contributes to higher death rates. However, annual screenings with low-dose computed tomography (CT scan) can help identify the disease when it may be more easily treated.

“Patients whose lung cancer is detected early have a much better chance of survival,” said Allen Smith, M.D., a pulmonologist and medical director at the Tennova Regional Lung Center at Physicians Regional Medical Center in Knoxville. “Conversely, survival rates for lung cancer are quite low when it is diagnosed in the latter stages of the disease.

“With regular screenings, physicians have a greater chance of identifying a tumor early—perhaps even before any symptoms are present—which can offer the patient more treatment options, and more time for those treatments to work,” Dr. Smith said.

If you are an adult between 55 and 77 years old and have the following risk factors, you should ask your doctor about the benefits of annual screening for lung cancer:

• 30-pack year or greater history of smoking (i.e., your average number of packs per day times the number of years you have smoked)
• Current smoker or quit less than 15 years ago

“A personal history of cancer, family history of lung cancer, radon exposure, or occupational exposure to certain chemicals also put an individual at a higher risk for lung cancer and could be the basis for a screening recommendation,” Dr. Smith said. “Second-hand smoke may also increase your risk.”

A low-dose CT scan uses X-ray technology to make detailed pictures of the lungs. The screening is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare. For more information, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682).

Tennova Healthcare offers preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases at Physicians Regional Medical Center, Turkey Creek Medical Center, North Knoxville Medical Center, Jefferson Memorial Hospital, LaFollette Medical Center, Lakeway Regional Hospital, and Newport Medical Center. With nearly 30 pulmonologist at multiple locations across the region, the health system is dedicated to offering quality care for chronic and complex respiratory problems—close to home.

For a referral to a primary care physician or pulmonary specialist, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682) or visit Tennova.com.

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