The Medical Center at Caverna Earns ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center Designation
The Medical Center at Caverna has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program recognizing facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.
“Lung cancer is a community health issue impacting Hart County and all of Kentucky, and The Medical Center at Caverna is committed to increasing lung cancer screenings to save more lives,” said Alan Alexander, Vice President and Administrator of The Medical Center at Caverna. In late 2021, the hospital upgraded its diagnostic imaging services with a 64-slice GE Revolution EVO CT Scanner and earned ACR accreditation in computed tomography (CT). “This designation recognizes that our hospital is effectively using this new technology to diagnose lung cancer in the early stages when it is most treatable and help direct patients to the care they need.”
“The low-dose lung cancer screening is a quick, painless tool that can help individuals who have no symptoms detect lung cancer early and often times is covered at low or no cost to the patient by insurance,” said Brittany Waddle, Radiology Manager. “Over the past year The Medical Center at Caverna has added diagnostic imaging services that previously people in our county would have had to travel to receive. It’s wonderful to see the positive improvements in our facility for the benefit of our community.”
In order to receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography (CT) in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Facilities must also have procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs. In addition to The Medical Center at Caverna, Med Center Health facilities which maintain this designation include The Medical Center at Franklin, The Medical Center at Scottsville and Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging, a department of The Medical Center at Bowling Green.
Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. A low-dose CT lung cancer screening may be available free of charge if an individual is 50 to 80 years old with a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smokes or has quit within the past 15 years. A 20 pack-year smoking history is defined as a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.
Individuals who meet the criteria noted above should consider an annual screening for lung cancer. Individuals should talk with their doctor about their risk and obtain a physician’s order. To learn more about low-dose lung cancer screenings, contact The Medical Center at Caverna at 270-786-6644 or visit MedCenterHealth.org/lung.
About the ACR
The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians. For more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Center designation, visit: acr.org/Quality-Safety/Lung-Cancer-Screening-Center.
