To save lives, Botsford Cancer Center recommends low-dose CT scan to smokers age 55+

Scientific evidence has shown the use of low-dose CT scans to detect lung cancer in high-risk patients significantly improves their chances of having their lung cancer detected early enough to make a difference in how long they survive and with what quality of life. Botsford Hospital and Botsford Cancer Center have brought together its own "A-Team" of specialists who can detect early-stage lung cancer through low-dose CT scans and treat this deadly-killer disease. 
 
"In the National Lung Screening Trial, a 20 percent reduction in death from lung cancer was observed in high-risk individuals who were screened with low-dose CT scans of the chest," said David Sternberg, M.D., the newest member of Botsford's lung cancer team. This minimally-invasive thoracic surgeon continued, "This follow-up study reports that low-dose CT scans find lung cancer at an earlier, more survivable stage, than do chest x-rays, in high-risk populations. This study adds to, and affirms, our evolving appreciation of the ability of screening lung CT scans to save many lives each year and obligates mainstream medical practice to adopt screening practices according to the new national guidelines that are fully supported by data." 
 
The key is to motivate high-risk patients to come out-of-pocket for the cost of this CT scan before they exhibit any symptoms. Most insurance plans do not yet cover this important screening tool. Botsford Hospital---a winner of the Community Value Leadership Award---is offering a 20 percent discount when a patient pre-pays for this low-dose CT lung screening at its state-of-the art Imaging Center. This reduces the $376 hospital charge and radiologist interpretation fee down to $301. A high-risk patient should contemplate, "Is my life worth $301?" With the average price for a package of cigarettes being $6.50 in the state of Michigan, a pack-a-day smoker would spend that much on cigarettes in just 1.5 months. 
 
"Low-dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer should be performed as part of a routine physical examination in certain patient populations. They are as important in detecting lung cancers in identified patient populations as regular mammograms are for screening for breast cancer. The benefits of early detection in lung cancer offers patients advanced treatment opportunities," said Larry Kestin M.D., a lung cancer expert who is Botsford Cancer Center’s medical director of radiation oncology. "Patients who are diagnosed with early-stage lung cancers may be candidates for minimally invasive thoracic surgery as well as stereotactic radiosurgery with high cure rates. Botsford Cancer Center specializes in this precise treatment for lung cancer with an entire course of treatment delivered in less than five days." 
 
How can you determine if you should have a low-dose CT scan to see if you have lung cancer? The American Cancer Society say patients who meet ALL of the following criteria may be candidates for lung cancer screening: 
 
- 55 to 74 years old 
- In fairly good health (doesn't exhibit symptoms of lung cancer) 
- Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history (The average number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day times the number of years as a smoker. Example: two packs of cigarettes per day for 18 years are equal to 36 pack years. ) 
- Are either still smoking or have quit smoking within the last 15 years 
 
To schedule an appointment for a low-dose CT scan for lung screening, call Botsford Hospital's Central Scheduling office at 248-471-8100. Botsford's Imaging Services uses a 128-slice CT scanner, producing high resolution three-dimensional screening images with reduced radiation. Patients are scanned either the same day or the next day and will find out within days of the scan whether lung cancer is present.