Lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung. It causes the most cancer deaths in the United States, but the chance of survival improves if diagnosed early. Lung cancer screenings are an important way to save lives and offer the potential for recovery.
The best way to counter lung cancer is to prevent it, and the most likely way to do that is to avoid smoking or simply quit if you are a smoker. The next best thing is to catch lung cancer early, which gives the greatest possibility of being cured through radiation, chemotherapy, surgery or some combination.
Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute is helping to identify more patients with lung cancer at earlier stages, often even before they experience symptoms. Every week a multidisciplinary team of experts gathers to review CT scans with lung nodules that were taken for some other reason, such as a scan of the abdomen for another condition. If lung nodules were noticed in those scans, this team will discuss next steps, such as ongoing monitoring of the patient or plans for a biopsy or more testing. Since starting in spring 2021, the program has identified many patients with lung cancer earlier and put them on a path for recovery.
St. Dominic's Hospital is designated as a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance, offering lung cancer screenings for individuals with a high risk for lung cancer. The screenings include:
For additional questions, please call (601) 200-2787.
Our tobacco cessation programs can help you quit smoking through counseling, a personalized plan and ongoing support. Breaking the habit can prevent many health conditions, including lung cancer.
Thanks to regular screenings, this patient’s doctor was able to find and remove a lung tumor before it was too late.
A lung cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. Learn how modern treatment options, including state-of-the-art robotic surgery, are saving lives every day.
Find out more about risk factors associated with lung cancer and whether you should be screened.