High Risk Lung Screening Clinic Opens at Green Bay Oncology

High Risk Lung Screening Clinic Opens at Green Bay Oncology

Lung cancer kills more people every year than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer combined.

Unfortunately, lung cancer has historically been diagnosed at a more advanced stage; individuals typically do not have symptoms in the earlier stages of lung cancer. Up to 60-70% of people diagnosed with small, early stage lung cancer could be expected to be alive five years after the diagnosis; only about 10-20% of patients with more advanced lung cancer would be expected to be alive five years after the diagnosis. The United States Preventative Task Force 2013 recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in persons at high risk for lung cancer based on age and smoking history. This new recommendation came from the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). The NLST identified that screening current and former heavy smokers with low-dose CT scanning at least once yearly for three years resulted in 20% fewer deaths from the disease compared with a yearly chest x-ray. It is important to recognize that there are still potential risks that come along with the screening–a high potential for false positives (a screening test that is positive, but ultimately the abnormality is found to NOT be cancer); unnecessary follow-up procedures (with a risk of complications); radiation exposure; and anxiety related to an abnormal test result.

Green Bay Oncology is committed to the community and we are happy to provide a comprehensive High Risk Lung Screening Clinic, where individuals at high risk for developing lung cancer are able to receive the necessary education on the NLST data and make an informed decision on low-dose CT scanning.

Individuals at risk would include all of the criteria below:

  • Between the ages of 55 and 80 
  • Have a significant smoking history (30 pack/years). The formula is number of packs per day multiplied by the number of years smoked. For example, 1 pack per day times 30 years equals 30 pack/years; 2 packs per day times 15 years equals 30 pack/years. 
  • Currently smoking or have quit smoking less than 15 years ago

The High Risk Lung Screening Clinic offers an appointment with one of our nurse practitioners. The appointments are offered at all of our locations. At this visit, the nurse practitioner will discuss the program and evaluate the individual.  If it is decided to proceed with a low-dose CT scan of the lungs, this will be ordered for a convenient date and time at the Prevea Radiology Department, Webster Avenue Site-Green Bay. A dedicated radiologist with knowledge specific to lung screening criteria will interpret the scan. A follow-up appointment with the same nurse practitioner will be scheduled to review the low-dose CT results and further outline an individual screening plan. All of the individuals entering the screening program will, at minimum, have three yearly screening scans.  This can vary based on the individual results.

To make an appointment or referral call 920-884-3135.