Lung Cancer Screening

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A perfect time to revisit this topic!

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the U.S., and smoking causes almost a half a million deaths per year.

Rural NC Road in Autumn. Photo used with permission

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. 

North Carolina

Between 2016 and 2020, most counties in North Carolina saw more than 60 new cases of lung cancer each year:

Screening for Lung Cancer

Patients with Medicare Part B who meet all these categories are eligible for annual screening:

• Aged 50-77
• Asymptomatic (no lung cancer signs or symptoms)
• Tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (1 pack-year = smoking 1 pack per day for 1 year; 1 pack = 20 cigarettes)
• Current smoker or quit smoking within the past 15 years
• Get a lung cancer screening order with LDCT (Low Dose Computed Tomography)

Even though tobacco use is declining in our state, we are well above desired targets.

Think about your patient population. Did they;

Grow up when smoking cigarettes was really cool?

Dress like (or wish they could have a date with) the Marlboro Man?

Admire Joe Camel?

These folks may especially meet criteria for lung cancer screening!

It takes a team

Staff team members can easily help providers determine whether screening is clinically appropriate (see criteria) and determine their eligibility in advance of the patient's time with the provider.

Source and learn more: Medicare Preventive Services