Beebe to host lung cancer screening Nov. 9 with referral

Beebe Healthcare is offering Saturday appointments from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 9, at Beebe Imaging Rehoboth on the Abessinio Health Campus off Route 24.

As part of a statewide effort to recognize National Lung Cancer Screening Day, Beebe is dedicated to raising awareness around this deadly disease. A physician referral is required for screening during this event. 

In Delaware, the smoking rate is 13.4%, and out of all the high-risk patients, only 6.3% are screened. While this ranks above the national average, more screenings could possibly save lives. Also, just 27.9% of those who qualify reported having a CT scan for lung cancer screening in the past year. Most diagnoses occur at advanced stages, when treatment is more challenging and survival rates drop.

The latest guidelines suggest those who are ages 50-80 and have either smoked one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years meet the definition of high risk.

People who meet those criteria should talk to their primary care providers about a referral for a low-dose CT scan (low dose computerized tomography), which allows high-risk patients to be screened before symptoms begin.

People who are eligible and would like to schedule an appointment should contact their primary care physician and request a referral. With a referral, patients can call 302-645-3278 and mention the event to schedule a lung cancer screening appointment for Nov. 9.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and is expected to claim the lives of 127,000 Americans this year. Screening leads to early detection, and early detection leads to more saved lives.