Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women – responsible for more deaths each year than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined. In the U.S., tobacco use still accounts for 87 percent of lung cancer deaths; and, smokers are up to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers are. However, when diagnosed early, more than 90 percent of lung cancers can be cured with prompt surgical intervention. In an effort to save more lives from this disease, Mount Sinai Medical Center has developed a lung cancer screening program that aims to diagnose lung cancer in its earliest possible stage.
Lung cancer in its early stages has no symptoms. Hence, more than 85 percent of men and women diagnosed with lung cancer are found to be in a late stage of the disease with very little chance of being cured. However, low-dose CT lung cancer screenings, available at Mount Sinai, offers greater hope for survival through early detection, especially for high-risk patients. A Computerized Tomography (CT) lung scan is an efficient and painless exam. It combines special X-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images of your lungs, taken from different angles. Mount Sinai is able to provide a low-dose lung screening because, as a Radiation Safety Provider, we have instituted safeguards to ensure the smallest amount of radiation dose exposure to patients undergoing testing. These safeguards help eliminate duplicate studies in the future and ensure that you receive the information you need with the least amount of exposure.
Recently, the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Task Force for Lung Cancer Screening and Surveillance released clinical guidelines recommending annual lung cancer screenings with low-dose CT for smokers and former smokers age 55 to 79 with a 30 pack-year history, or age 50 with a 20 pack-year history and additional risk factors.
“Based on these new guidelines, we are pleased to announce that Mount Sinai Medical Center’s multidisciplinary lung cancer screening program is an opportunity to offer high-risk patients a greater chance of surviving lung cancer,” said Dr. Roy F. Williams, thoracic surgeon with Mount Sinai’s Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
Dr. Williams is one of only a few surgeons in the nation with experience in minimally invasive lung surgery, and Mount Sinai is one of a select few hospitals in South Florida offering robotic lung surgery, which requires less time in the hospital and offers a quicker recovery. Mount Sinai’s multidisciplinary approach leads to greater accuracy of diagnosis, consistent clinical results, decreased time to treatment and higher patient satisfaction.
To learn more about Mount Sinai’s lung screening program, or to schedule an appointment, please call 305-535-3434 or visit www.msmc.com.
