VANCOUVER – BC Cancer has launched a province-wide lung cancer screening program that provides access to eligible high-risk people in 36 locations across the province.
The pulmonary screening program expects to start screening about 10,000 patients in the first year of the program, and this number is expected to increase by approximately 15% annually. It is estimated that the program will diagnose approximately 150 cases of lung cancer per year, with more than 75% of these diagnosed at an earlier stage than without screening.
Pulmonary screening is available across the province across 36 sites from all health authorities using existing computed tomography (CT) scanning capability.
Lung screening is best for those who are at high risk for lung cancer and have no symptoms. Eligible participants may include those who are:
* between 55 and 74;
* currently smokes or has previously smoked; i
* Have a history of smoking for 20 years or more.
Patients who meet the above criteria are encouraged to call the Lung Screening Program at 1-877-717-5864 to complete a consultation and risk assessment to determine eligibility.
Key benefits of a province-wide screening program:
* equitable access for eligible Britons;
* early detection resulting in improved survival rates; i
* coherent and high-level detection and prevention carried out through a centralized program.
BC Cancer doctors and researchers led by Dr. Stephen Lam, medical director of the BC Cancer Lung Screening Program, is leading the implementation of the program.
The centralized program will determine who is eligible, communicate results to patients, provide a pathway for cancer care if needed, and provide information on smoking cessation programs.
For more information on BC Cancer’s lung screening program, visit: www.screeningbc.ca/lung