MDNews - Greater Kansas

February/March 2016

Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/637554

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 14 of 15

Wesley Utilizes Low-dose CT Scanner to Identify Cancer Earlier with Reduced Radiation Dose Lung Cancer Screening Program Image from the Discovery CT750 HD from GE Healthcare – the world's best high-de•nition, low-dose CT scanner According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 2,000 Kansans will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year — the No. 1 cause of cancer death in the United States. High mortality rates are due to the fact that lung cancer is most often diagnosed in later stages, as early stage lung cancer does not show any symptoms. ˆe Wesley Medical Center Lung Cancer Screening Program uses the world's best high-de•nition, low-dose CT scanner to help identify lung cancer earlier with a 50 percent lower dose of radiation. ˆe results of the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) showed that lung cancer screening for patients who are at high risk can •nd cancer at an early stage and help prevent one in •ve deaths from lung cancer. To qualify for lung cancer screening, a patient must: • Be 55 to 77 years old and have smoked at least 30 "pack years." Calculate pack years by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years smoked. • Be a smoker or a person who quit smoking less than 15 years ago. How does the screening program work? Physicians or patients can simply call Wesley at 316.962.LUNG (5864) to answer a few questions about the patient. ˆen, based on eligibility, the nurse navigator will contact the patient to •nd the most convenient screening site for the patient and schedule the screening. Prior to screening, CMS patients receive a clinic consultation with a lung cancer physician extender to explain the risks of a CT lung screening. ˆe screening takes less than •ve minutes, and patients do not have to do anything special to prepare. ˆe nurse navigator will contact both the referring physician and the patient with results and coordinate any necessary follow-up care. If a patient does not •t all criteria, but may bene•t from the screening due to exposure and/or family history, please consult the Wesley lung nurse navigator for further evaluation at 316.962.LUNG (5864). Why choose Wesley? Lung screening is part of Wesley's multidisciplinary lung health program, including expertise in pulmonary medicine, radiology, surgery and oncology. Nurse navigators support patients throughout the entire experience and ensure the referring physician receives all results and follow-up recommendations. In addition, Wesley utilizes the world's best high-de•nition, low-dose CT scanner with imaging technology that creates sharper, more detailed images and reduces the radiation dose by 50 percent compared to predecessor CT systems. -e screening may be covered by insurance. Screening may be covered by major insurance plans. As each health plan varies, please check with the patient's insurance provider for coverage information. Follow-up for any abnormal •ndings is usually covered by most health plans. In the event that the screening doesn't show any signs or symptoms and is not covered by insurance, the entire screening is designed to be accessible with a direct patient cost of only $249. For more information, call the Wesley lung nurse navigator at 316.962.LUNG (5864) or visit Wesleymc.com/lungscreening WESLEYMC.COM WESLEYMEDICAL Wesley West ER & Diagnostic Center - 8714 W. 13th St. Wesley Woodlawn & ER - 2610 N. Woodlawn Blvd. Wesley Medical Center - 550 N. Hillside St. Screening Locations

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of MDNews - Greater Kansas - February/March 2016