As the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, lung cancer is diagnosed nearly 220,000 times each year and an estimated 150,000 people die from the disease. In the fight against lung cancer, early detection is the key to saving lives, and St. Anthony Regional Hospital has implemented the only recommended screening strategy, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) to aid in early detection of lung cancer. This pain-free process has been found to save 16 to 20 percent more lives than traditional x-ray screenings. The United States Preventative Services Task Force recommends lung cancer screenings for anyone 55 to 77 years old that does not have any symptoms of lung cancer or had lung cancer in the past and is a current smoker or quit less than 15 years ago. Medicare and many private insurers will cover the costs of LDCT screening for high-risk individuals who meet the eligibility criteria. For more information, contact Lori Pietig, St. Anthony Director of Radiology, at 794-5201.
