PULMONARY & CRITICAL CARE
LUNG CANCER
MYTH
A diagnosis of lung cancer is an automatic death sentence because lung cancer is not treatable.
FACT
While lung cancer is still the second most common cancer diagnosis, when healthcare professionals detect lung cancer early, it has a cure rate of more than 60%.
FACT EXPLAINED
The key is catching it early. One way to detect lung cancer in its earliest stages is with a low-dose computed tomography (CT) lung cancer screening. Low-dose CT lung cancer scans can detect spots on your lungs that may indicate lung cancer in its earliest stage. These preventative screenings are key to early detection, treatment, and survival.
These scans are available at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. To qualify for this screening, patients must:
• Be between the ages of 55-80
• Be a current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years
• Have no symptoms
• Have a smoking history of at least 30 pack years (one pack year = smoking once pack per day for one year or; one pack = 20 cigarettes)
• Have not had a chest CT in the past year
SSM Health offers a simple lung cancer health risk assessment at ssmhealth.com/lung to provide you with additional information on your potential risk. Take the online assessment and discuss the results with your primary care provider to see if you may be eligible for a low-dose CT screening. Our pulmonology team is available if your screening results suggest that follow up is needed.
ssmhealth.com
2505 Mission Dr., Ste 130, JCMO
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