Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and smoking is the main risk factor. Even if you’ve quit, cancer can appear. With no symptoms until the advanced stage‚ early detection may save your life.
A low-dose Computerized Tomography (CT) lung cancer screening is the only proven test to find lung cancer in the early stages. CT is an x-ray technology that uses low doses of radiation to scan the body and produce a series of detailed pictures of the lungs. CT is more accurate than traditional x-ray at identifying early stage cancer when it is most treatable.
Lung cancer screenings are available at Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging (a department of The Medical Center at Bowling Green) and The Medical Centers at Albany, Caverna, Franklin and Scottsville.
How do I get screened?
A doctor’s order is required for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening. Shared decision making between a patient and a physician is an important component of the screening process. Talk to your doctor or schedule an appointment with a Med Center Health Primary Care location. Our physicians help patients understand the risks, benefits, what the results mean and what to do after the screening.
You can also learn more by contacting the diagnostic imaging center of your choice. See Locations below for contact information.
Am I eligible?
A low-dose CT lung cancer screening may be available free of charge if you are aged 50 to 80 years with a 20 pack-year smoking history* and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
*Smoking history of a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.
Are you ready to quit smoking?
The Medical Center Health & Wellness offers BREATHE — a program for smoking cessation that is accredited by the Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs. If you are ready to take control of your health and quit smoking, make an appointment to meet with a certified treatment specialist. Call 270-745-1503 or fill out our online form to learn more.
Is vaping safer than smoking?
What are the health risks of e-cigarettes?
E-cigarettes are dangerous for kids, teens, young adults, and pregnant women. They are not considered safe for adults who don’t smoke.
E-cigarettes may have substances that can cause cancer. They have also been linked to severe lung conditions. Some people have died from these lung conditions. Experts are not sure exactly what has caused these life-threatening illnesses. They don’t seem to be caused by lung infections. But all of the people who developed these lung conditions had used e-cigarettes. The CDC calls this EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury). Experts don’t know if people who have had EVALI are at higher risk for severe complications of the flu (influenza) or other viral lung infections. Healthcare providers recommend a yearly flu shot for everyone over 6 months of age, including people who have had EVALI. Because of these and other health risks, experts advise people not to use e-cigarettes.
More about Smoking, Vaping and Your Health
Smoking Cessation
Trying to quit smoking is extremely difficult, and that’s why Med Center Health offers the “BREATHE Smoking Cessation” program. A person who is able to quit smoking lowers their risk of being diagnosed with 12 different types of cancer and significantly lowers their risk of heart and lung diseases.
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The Medical Center at Bowling Green Invests in State-of-the-Art Lung Biopsy Technology
Ion Robotic Navigational Bronchoscopy is state-of-the-art technology that takes a minimally-invasive peripheral lung biopsy using robotic-assisted technology. The Medical Center Pulmonology staff will use the Intuitive Surgical Ion endoluminal system to help perform these procedures.
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Kentucky is known for many things – beautiful countryside, horse racing, bourbon and unfortunately, lung cancer. Compared to other states, Kentucky has one of the worst ranks for both new cases and survival rate. The good news is that Kentucky is now among the highest ranked states in the number of lung cancer screenings being provided to at-risk people.
Med Center Health and other leading healthcare systems who are members of the Kentucky Health Collaborative have made a concerted effort to increase lung cancer screenings across the state. With no symptoms until the advanced stage‚ lung cancer is most treatable when caught in the early stages.See More
Vaping – What Teens Should Know
Do you smoke? The risk is not just to your lungs.
Kentucky has long been known as a tobacco state. But the economic benefits of tobacco are far outweighed by the cost on human lives and health. In Kentucky, almost 30% of high school-aged youth use some sort of tobacco product, including nicotine-laced e-cigarettes. An estimated 8,900 adults die each year in Kentucky from tobacco-related illnesses—and many of them started smoking as teenagers.
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