Syracuse residents who smoke regularly and are considered low-income will be able to get free lung cancer screenings through a partnership between The American Cancer Society and Upstate Cancer Center.
A 30-thousand-dollar Cancer Society grant will help get the word out. Doctor Michael Archer wants to see more people getting screened who are at risk, but who might not know the risk.
“The last thing we really want is people showing up when the cancer is far advanced. And that usually is accompanied by symptoms. So, most individuals with early-stage lung cancer are completely asymptomatic. And so, it's really important to identify those people that are at risk so they can do a simple scan,” said Archer.
Insurance generally covers the cost of basic screenings. The Cancer Society grant will help with outreach through community health workers and local events.
Upstate is looking for people who meet certain criteria for smoking and age.
- Anyone who currently or used to smoke around half-a-pack of cigarettes-a-day or more.
- Those who are between age 50 and 80.
- And those who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
Archer explained there are factors that put people in disadvantaged communities at greater risk, such as “a connection between under-resourced, low-income communities and families that get exposed to smoking earlier on in their lives.” He added the level of risk from a variety of reasons drives screening, “and as you accumulate years and years of smoking, that's when you start to see the risk (rise).”
Cancer Society spokesperson Jodi Richter said the emphasis, and purpose of the grant, is on early detection, “one of our most powerful tools against lung cancer. By investing in community outreach and expanding access for lung cancer screening with our partners at Upstate, we can help more people get screened earlier – when treatment is most effective and ultimately save lives and improve outcomes.”
The screenings involve two steps: an initial consultation, then a low-dose C-T scan.
Upstate also received a separate grant to cover costs of transportation. If someone is diagnosed with cancer, the cost of getting the patient and family members to frequent treatments can become a barrier. Last year a similar grant covered 700 trips for patients to get to their cancer treatments.
