What to Expect from a Lung Cancer Screening
LeAnn Stoddard, RT (R)(CT)(MR)(M), discusses the importance of low-dose CT screening for lung cancer and answers some commonly asked questions about the test.
Featuring:
LeAnn Stoddard, RT (R)(CT)(MR)(M)
LeAnn Stoddard, RT (R) (CT) (MR) (M), has been caring for patients as a radiologic technologist for 35 years. She is the coordinator of New Hanover Regional Medical Center's Health & Diagnostics outpatient imaging center at Brunswick Forest, which has been serving patients in Brunswick County since 2010. Transcription:
Caitlin Whyte (Host): Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the United States. And with statistics like those, it's hard to convince people that get screens for fear of what the result might be. But early diagnosis can lead to better outcomes. So, joining us today is LeAnn Stoddard, a Coordinator at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Brunswick Forest, to tell us more about the importance of lung cancer screenings.
This is Healthy Conversations, the podcast from New Hanover Regional Medical Center. I'm Catlin Whyte. So, LeAnn, who should be getting screened for lung cancer?
LeAnn Stoddard, RT (R)(CT)(MR)(M) (Guest): So, thanks for asking. It's so important to me. More people in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer and cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor. So, I think of the people that I meet that have come in for the screening. And there was a mom of two young adult daughters that stands out in my mind. She had a history of smoking and she was concerned. She was concerned for her daughter's choices and for the future. And she wanted to be there for her daughters.
She asked me if the lung screening CT really helped, and it's been proven. Early detection saves lives. Well because early diagnosis leads to better outcomes. And this is a yearly check that can give peace of mind for high-risk due to tobacco use.
Host: So, what is involved with lung cancer screening?
LeAnn: So, to qualify for the screening, a person is between the age of 55 to 77, they are a current smoker or have quit within the past 15 years. They have a 30 pack history or more, and that means they've smoked one pack a day for 30 years, or that's equivalent to two packs a day for 15 years. So, there's about 88 million Americans that qualify for high risk based on these guidelines. When someone qualifies, then their provider can order the CT that's designed for yearly lung screening. So, when someone qualifies based on their use of tobacco, their provider can order the CT that's designed for yearly lung screening. Low dose means it's different by design. It uses less x-ray and it can catch early lung cancer before there are any symptoms.
Host: So, tell us about that low dose screening. What does that mean?
LeAnn: So, when someone qualifies, their provider can order the CT that's designed for yearly lung screening. Low dose means that it uses less x-ray. It can catch early lung cancer, before there are any symptoms, before it can be shown on a chest x-ray, when it's tiny, like a grain of rice.
Host: I want to dive into, you know, the fear of screening. You say lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer. So, of course, you know, getting screened, I'm nervous about what's going to happen. What are most people scared of when it comes to even deciding to get the screen?
LeAnn: Right. It is about what it can show. And the idea is that if you catch something early, then you have more choice about what you can do for it. And it's about saving lives, about preserving life. And so, it's overcoming that fear of what it can show by catching something early so that you can save your life.
Host: Does this screening hurt at all?
LeAnn: Oh, no, not at all. It takes five minutes and it's a matter of holding your breath three times and moving in and out of the CT scanner. It's a painless way to check for early lung cancer, when it's still tiny before it can show on a chest x-ray, it's a lifesaver.
Host: So, it's so easy, how do we get more people to come in for their screenings?
LeAnn: Well, people who are high risk and meet that criteria, they should speak with their physician. A physician's order is required and they can use this program until they age out at 78 or have been a non-smoker for 15 years. It's about knowing what your risks are and asking questions. You can ask your physician about it.
Host: So, now that I've decided to get the screening, I'm not scared anymore. How can I get myself scheduled?
LeAnn: The scheduling office at New Hanover Regional Medical Center will contact you to schedule after they receive the physician order. So, they call you and set up an appointment.
Host: And then I got my appointment all set up. What should I expect if I'm a first timer, you know, when I get to the office for my screening?
LeAnn: When you get to the office, we'll ask some COVID questions to get you through the front door. We'll ask some registration questions, and then once you're in the exam room, the technologists will explain everything. The test is only five minutes. You'll be asked to remove metal in the chest area for image quality. And you may wear your own clothes, if there's no metal.
Host: And then where do I get those results once the screening is over? How long does it take?
LeAnn: We try to be very fast about it. You receive a letter in addition to your physician receiving the report. So, your physician receives the report. And at that same time, the report is also in your online patient portal, which is your MyChart. And your physician can answer questions about the results. So, the results go out quickly to the physician, also in your MyChart, and then later you received the letter.
Host: And wrapping up here LeAnn, just remind us why early intervention is so important when it comes to lung cancer.
LeAnn: Well lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the United States. And most lung cancer deaths are directly linked to cigarette smoking. Often lung cancer symptoms are not noticeable until the disease has progressed. Screening high risk patients allows for early detection, which means treatment can begin sooner, improving outcomes.
Host: So much good information here. Thank you so much, LeAnn, for giving it to us and hopefully we'll get more people your way to get screenings. Learn more about the screening test and find the NHRMC Health and Diagnostics location nearest you@nhrmc.org/imaging.
This is Healthy Conversations, the podcast from New Hanover Regional Medical Center. I'm Caitlin Whyte. Stay well.
Caitlin Whyte (Host): Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the United States. And with statistics like those, it's hard to convince people that get screens for fear of what the result might be. But early diagnosis can lead to better outcomes. So, joining us today is LeAnn Stoddard, a Coordinator at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Brunswick Forest, to tell us more about the importance of lung cancer screenings.
This is Healthy Conversations, the podcast from New Hanover Regional Medical Center. I'm Catlin Whyte. So, LeAnn, who should be getting screened for lung cancer?
LeAnn Stoddard, RT (R)(CT)(MR)(M) (Guest): So, thanks for asking. It's so important to me. More people in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer and cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor. So, I think of the people that I meet that have come in for the screening. And there was a mom of two young adult daughters that stands out in my mind. She had a history of smoking and she was concerned. She was concerned for her daughter's choices and for the future. And she wanted to be there for her daughters.
She asked me if the lung screening CT really helped, and it's been proven. Early detection saves lives. Well because early diagnosis leads to better outcomes. And this is a yearly check that can give peace of mind for high-risk due to tobacco use.
Host: So, what is involved with lung cancer screening?
LeAnn: So, to qualify for the screening, a person is between the age of 55 to 77, they are a current smoker or have quit within the past 15 years. They have a 30 pack history or more, and that means they've smoked one pack a day for 30 years, or that's equivalent to two packs a day for 15 years. So, there's about 88 million Americans that qualify for high risk based on these guidelines. When someone qualifies, then their provider can order the CT that's designed for yearly lung screening. So, when someone qualifies based on their use of tobacco, their provider can order the CT that's designed for yearly lung screening. Low dose means it's different by design. It uses less x-ray and it can catch early lung cancer before there are any symptoms.
Host: So, tell us about that low dose screening. What does that mean?
LeAnn: So, when someone qualifies, their provider can order the CT that's designed for yearly lung screening. Low dose means that it uses less x-ray. It can catch early lung cancer, before there are any symptoms, before it can be shown on a chest x-ray, when it's tiny, like a grain of rice.
Host: I want to dive into, you know, the fear of screening. You say lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer. So, of course, you know, getting screened, I'm nervous about what's going to happen. What are most people scared of when it comes to even deciding to get the screen?
LeAnn: Right. It is about what it can show. And the idea is that if you catch something early, then you have more choice about what you can do for it. And it's about saving lives, about preserving life. And so, it's overcoming that fear of what it can show by catching something early so that you can save your life.
Host: Does this screening hurt at all?
LeAnn: Oh, no, not at all. It takes five minutes and it's a matter of holding your breath three times and moving in and out of the CT scanner. It's a painless way to check for early lung cancer, when it's still tiny before it can show on a chest x-ray, it's a lifesaver.
Host: So, it's so easy, how do we get more people to come in for their screenings?
LeAnn: Well, people who are high risk and meet that criteria, they should speak with their physician. A physician's order is required and they can use this program until they age out at 78 or have been a non-smoker for 15 years. It's about knowing what your risks are and asking questions. You can ask your physician about it.
Host: So, now that I've decided to get the screening, I'm not scared anymore. How can I get myself scheduled?
LeAnn: The scheduling office at New Hanover Regional Medical Center will contact you to schedule after they receive the physician order. So, they call you and set up an appointment.
Host: And then I got my appointment all set up. What should I expect if I'm a first timer, you know, when I get to the office for my screening?
LeAnn: When you get to the office, we'll ask some COVID questions to get you through the front door. We'll ask some registration questions, and then once you're in the exam room, the technologists will explain everything. The test is only five minutes. You'll be asked to remove metal in the chest area for image quality. And you may wear your own clothes, if there's no metal.
Host: And then where do I get those results once the screening is over? How long does it take?
LeAnn: We try to be very fast about it. You receive a letter in addition to your physician receiving the report. So, your physician receives the report. And at that same time, the report is also in your online patient portal, which is your MyChart. And your physician can answer questions about the results. So, the results go out quickly to the physician, also in your MyChart, and then later you received the letter.
Host: And wrapping up here LeAnn, just remind us why early intervention is so important when it comes to lung cancer.
LeAnn: Well lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the United States. And most lung cancer deaths are directly linked to cigarette smoking. Often lung cancer symptoms are not noticeable until the disease has progressed. Screening high risk patients allows for early detection, which means treatment can begin sooner, improving outcomes.
Host: So much good information here. Thank you so much, LeAnn, for giving it to us and hopefully we'll get more people your way to get screenings. Learn more about the screening test and find the NHRMC Health and Diagnostics location nearest you@nhrmc.org/imaging.
This is Healthy Conversations, the podcast from New Hanover Regional Medical Center. I'm Caitlin Whyte. Stay well.