Central New Yorkers at high risk of lung cancer have an opportunity to get free screenings on Saturday. You’re eligible if you’re between 50 and 80, are a heavy smoker, or someone who has quit within the last 15 years. A heavy smoker is defined as one pack per day for 20 years, or two packs a day for ten years. Hematology/Oncology Associates of CNY Nurse Practitioner Ann Roman says it’s critical to catch the cancer early.
“I understand they might be reluctant and be afraid to find it out, but I always say don't bury your head in the sand because what we know we can treat as opposed to it going too long and then it may go from curable to not curable," Roman said. "It will still be treatable. But I think that early detection means that we have a better chance of cure.”
Roman says for recent former smokers, a lung screening should be considered just another preventive test.
“It's kind of the standard of care just the same way people over 50 need to have a colonoscopy and women over 40 need mammogram," Roman said. "It's part of routine health maintenance.”
She says the low-dose CT scan is simple and non-invasive.
“People are placed on a table and I call it going through the doughnut hole," Roman said. "The test from the time you lay on the table to the time you get off the table is only about five minutes. I think it takes longer to get you situated so that the scan is accurate, and the scan is very quick.”
Roman says patients are notified about the results, and are encouraged to share them with their primary care doctor. If there’s little to no concern, a follow-up is scheduled for next year. If there’s a positive finding, additional evaluation and tests are done. The free screenings are being held Saturday at Hematology/Oncology’s Camillus and East Syracuse locations. Registration is required; no walk-ins are permitted. More information can be found here.
Editor's note: Hematology/Oncology Associates of CNY is a financial supporter of WAER.
