When it comes to your lung health, it is important to find out if you are at risk before symptoms start. Talk to your primary care doctor about your health concerns and if a low-dose CT lung screening is right for you. Our comprehensive lung care program focuses on prevention and early detection of lung cancer. We provide advanced diagnostic testing and treatments for lung cancer, benign lung nodules and other chest cancer tumors.
Lung screenings help identify risk for lung cancer
The first step is to find out if you qualify for a low-dose CT lung screening. Your doctor will counsel you on how to stop smoking if you still smoke, or may refer you for a scan. Screening for cancer means testing for cancer before there are any symptoms. Screening for some types of cancer has reduced deaths by early detection and treatment. According to new guidelines published by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, you may be qualified for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening if you are:
- Smokers without symptoms and former smokers aged 50 to 80 who have smoked 20 pack-years or more (one pack a day for 20 years, OR two packs a day for 10 years, etc.) and either continue to smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
- Smokers without symptoms and former smokers outside of the smoking and age criteria listed above but are deemed high risk of having/developing lung cancer (a family history of lung cancer, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and exposure to certain substances exposures)
Talk to your doctor at Ascension Borgess about screenings that are right for you based on your age, family history and risk factors.
FIND A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR
Lung disorders affect non-smokers too
Some people who get lung cancers have no risk factors at all. Some of these risk factors can cause changes or mutations that can lead to abnormal cell growth and sometimes cancer. Risk factors for lung cancer, other than tobacco use, include:
- Radon gas exposure
- Secondhand smoke
- Cancer-causing agents at work, such as arsenic, uranium, asbestos and diesel exhaust
- Air pollution
- Gene mutations (changes)
Before having a lung screening, contact your insurance provider about your healthcare coverage.
Ascension Borgess lung cancer care team
When you choose Ascension Borgess for your cancer care, you get a multispecialty care team dedicated to your care. Our experienced doctors are board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, pathologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurse navigators. We work together to deliver advanced cancer treatment for your healthcare needs.
The importance of our tumor board
Through virtual and non-virtual tumor boards, patients with complex cancers benefit from multiple clinical opinions reviewing their personal cases. The same specialists that make up your care team meet weekly to discuss diagnosed lung and thoracic (chest) cancer cases. They have access to the details of your case and discuss treatment options so that you receive a personalized treatment plan.
FIND A CANCER SPECIALIST
Medical oncologists
Thoracic surgeon
Our surgeon is board-certified in thoracic (chest) surgery.
Pulmonologists
Nurse navigators
Our nurse navigator supports our Lung Cancer Program and helps connect you with the specialists and services you need. They are here to listen and get answers to your questions.
Ascension Borgess lung cancer care
At Ascension Borgess Hospital, board-certified pulmonologists and cancer specialists diagnose and treat benign and cancerous tumors in the chest and lungs using advanced 3D imaging and minimally invasive surgical technology and techniques. We provide comprehensive services, including:
