In response to new federal guidelines for lung cancer detection, Hematology/Oncology Associates of Central New will offer free lung cancer screenings next month. The guideline change lowers the recommended age to get a test 50 years old, as well as decreases the amount someone has smoked to the equivalent of a pack-a-day for 20 years.
Dr. Aref Agheli, an oncologist, knows people are often reluctant to get cancer check-ups.
“The objective of our educational screening is to give a diagnosis early that can be cured safely. It’s a very common human reaction that patients do not want to be told that they have cancer, and that fear keeps them from getting screened,” he said.
Agheli says catching lung cancer early can make a big difference. When diagnosed in stage one or two, the five-year survival rate is over 90% compared to less than 20% if detected in stages three or four. The treatment after early detection is only useful if people know to get screened, something Agheli says needs more awareness.
“But unfortunately, lung cancer still remains the number one cancer mortality. So if you want to achieve your goal in reducing the mortality of lung cancer, all you have to do is educate, educate, educate people that there is a screening test,” he said.
He notes every teenage girl knows about breast cancer screenings, but people don’t take part in other cancer testing nearly as often. Lung cancer remains the most deadly form of the cancer by a large margin.
Hematology/Oncology will hold free lung cancer screenings Saturday, April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To make an appointment at either the Syracuse or Auburn locations visit HOACNY.com.