Lung cancer awareness month with white/ light pearl color ribbon on woman's hand support on aged wood
November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a critical period dedicated to highlighting the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women. Lung cancer is responsible for approximately one in five cancer deaths, surpassing fatalities from colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.
Despite the potential for early detection to significantly improve outcomes, only 16% of Americans eligible for lung cancer screening based on risk factors actually undergo these vital tests. In California, the screening rate is even lower, at just under 14%, which is considered “below average” according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of Lung Cancer Report.
Innovations in Early Detection
Dr. David Tom Cooke, Physician-in-Chief at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and founding chief of the UC Davis Health Division of General Thoracic Surgery, highlights the transformative impact of new technologies in the fight against lung cancer. “For the first time, we are catching more lung cancer at stage 1 than late stage,” Cooke stated. “Our new Cios Spin 3D imaging technology, paired with the breakthrough robotic-assisted bronchoscopy Ion system, is diagnosing and removing lung cancer in a single procedure, revolutionizing lung cancer care for patients and allowing them to return to their normal activities faster.”
However, Cooke emphasizes that the initial step remains a standard low-dose CT scan, which takes less than 10 minutes. “Early-stage lung cancer has no symptoms. Awareness and early detection are the keys to tackling this deadly disease together,” Cooke added. “People with a history of smoking should take advantage of this potentially life-saving lung cancer screening.”
Lung Cancer Screening Day at UC Davis
To boost screening rates, Lung Cancer Screening Days are being organized nationwide next month. UC Davis Health will host its event on Saturday, November 8, at the new 48X Complex on its Sacramento campus. These screenings, which require prior scheduling, offer patients the opportunity to receive low-dose CT lung cancer scans outside of regular work hours, although they are not free.
The low-dose CT scans are quick, non-invasive, and involve minimal radiation exposure—significantly less than standard CT scans. The procedure is convenient, with no need to remove clothing, and is often preferred by women over mammograms.
“Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, often because it is diagnosed at a later stage when treatment options are limited. Lung cancer screenings with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can detect cancer early, often before symptoms develop, when it is most treatable,” said Ahmadreza Ghasemiesfe, director of chest CT at UC Davis Health. “Early detection significantly increases the chances of survival and offers patients more treatment options and better outcomes.”
Eligibility and Appointment Information
The UC Davis Lung Cancer Screening Day is supported by several organizations, including the UC Davis Health Department of Radiology, the UC Davis Health Division of Thoracic Surgery, the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, and the Love Your Lungs Sacramento Lung Health Coalition.
Eligibility Criteria
- Participants should be between the ages of 50 and 80.
- They must have a history of “20 pack years” of smoking, meaning they smoked a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years, and either still smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
Appointment Scheduling
To schedule a screening, a referral from a UC Davis Health primary care physician is required. Eligible individuals can expect insurance coverage, including Medi-Cal and Medicare, to cover the cost. There is also a self-pay option, although a referral remains necessary.
Interested individuals should consult their primary care physician to confirm eligibility and then contact UC Davis Health at 916-734-0655 (option 1) to arrange an appointment for the Lung Cancer Screening Day.
This initiative underscores the importance of early detection and aims to improve survival rates by catching lung cancer at its most treatable stages.
