Phoebe Cancer Center offers free Lung Cancer CT Screenings during November
ALBANY, Ga. – Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is taking steps to fight lung cancer by encouraging early detection.
In recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Phoebe Cancer Center is offering free, low-dose CT lung cancer screenings to the first 100 eligible uninsured individuals.
“This is an exciting month for us. Phoebe is able to give back offers up to 100 free lung cancer screenings for the community. Lung cancer is our biggest killer. Lung cancer makes up for more deaths combined than breast cancer. Colorectal cancer and prostate cancer combined in a non-screened lung cancer patients typically present at an advanced stage and the cure rates are not so good. However, in a screened patient. We’re finding a majority of early stage cancers. Those patients can go on and have curative surgery and have an excellent outcome. So, that’s really the purpose of screening, is to shift the stage, shift it to an earlier stage with a much better outcome. And, that’s what we’re doing here at Phoebe,” said Dr. Adam Jones, MD, Radiation Oncology.
Throughout November, these screenings are available to individuals aged 50 to 77. Eligibility requires no chest CT scan within the past year and meeting specific health criteria, including the absence of fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, a new or worsening cough, or coughing up blood.
The program is available to residents of select counties across South Georgia including: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Crisp, Dougherty, Early, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Sumter, Terrell, Tift, Turner, and Worth.
Dr. Adam Jones, MD specializing in radiation oncology, emphasizes the importance of getting screened before any symptoms arise.
“So, in general, a screened patient has no symptoms. If a patient has symptoms and it may be too late, that sometimes could be coughing, chest pain, spitting up blood, at that point, it’s a little bit too late. They still should seek medical attention quickly. However, in our case, screening is like screening for other cancers. There should be no symptoms. So, in that way, you find patients when the cancer is early before it’s really had a chance to make an impact on that patient. Typically, those patients, when they’re found early, are found in early stage, stage one, stage two and are treated for cure,” said Dr. Jones.
Dr. Adam Jones emphasizes the importance of regular check-ups and screenings.
“Preventative medicine and screening for cancer is so valuable to a patient. These are typically healthier patients, patients that live long lives without the burden of heart and lung disease. So, in general, screening and preventative medicine helps prevent those and helps you be just generally healthier in life,” said Dr. Jones.
He also explains how qualifying residents can access their free screening.
“Patients can either touch base with their primary care physician and be referred in through the traditional way, or patients may go to the Phoebe website. Our lung screening tab is on there, our lung cancer navigators on there, and they may contact her directly,” said Dr. Jones.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
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