Download Lung Cancer - Inside KentuckyOne

Research shows lung cancer screenings, early
detection save lives
MONTE E. Martin, M.D.
Medical Director, KentuckyOne Health Cancer Care at Flaget Memorial Hospital
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and Kentucky leads the
nation in both the incidence of lung cancer and deaths from the disease.
The national average is about 70 new cases (per 100,000) per state, per year. Kentucky has well
over 100 new cases (per 100,000) annually. Simply put, the Commonwealth is a hot bed of lung
cancer in the country per capita. Unfortunately, Nelson and surrounding counties are on the high
end of spectrum for the state as well.
Kentucky’s lung cancer mortality rate of 75 (per 100,000) is also well above the national average
of 55. These startling numbers for our community should mean that every month is lung cancer
awareness month for us.
Early detection is our best tool for treating lung cancer and preventing deaths from this disease.
Therefore, we should consider screening everyone who has smoked for more than 30 years,
including former smokers. This is particularly important for our community because of the
significantly high prevalence of lung cancer cases.
Lung cancer screening can be done through a minimally invasive low-dose computed
tomography (LDCT or low-dose CT), which can detect cancer early, helping to lower the
morality rate significantly.
Some promising news is that LDCT screening for lung cancer has one of the lowest screening to
death prevention ratios of all cancers. For example, with breast cancer, it takes approximately
800 screenings to prevent one death. It takes approximately 900 screenings to prevent a colon
cancer death. With LDCT and lung cancer it only takes roughly 300 screenings to prevent one
death.
The incidence of lung cancer increases with age and occurs most commonly in persons 55 years
of age or older. However, the most important risk factor for lung cancer is smoking, which
results in approximately 85 percent of all U.S. lung cancer cases. Data has shown that, in patients
who do smoke, lung cancer screening coupled with smoking cessation programs have significant
success rates in helping current smokers to quit.
The U.S. Preventative Services Taskforce recommends annual screening for lung cancer with
LDCT in adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently
smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. (Pack years can be calculated by multiplying the
number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years smoked.)
We want to reduce the lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in Nelson County, so we need to
screen more individuals who meet these criteria. Scheduling a screening is easy and you can do it
right here, close to home, without even a parking garage in your path.
The eligible nursing staff that provides direct patient care to our cancer patients has achieved
their Oncology Nurse Certification validating that they are clinical experts in oncology.
The dedication of our staff recently helped KentuckyOne Cancer Care at Flaget Memorial
Hospital receive certification through the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI)
Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The
three-year certification recognizes outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet the
highest standards for quality cancer care.
This certification affirms that we are treating our patients according to national standards for
surveillance and treatment protocols and survivorship programs.
While we can implement any cancer treatment protocol out there (other than clinical trials) here
in your hometown, our best tool to fight cancer is prevention. Join us in our efforts. If you or
someone you know meets the criteria for LDCT lung cancer screening, schedule the testing
today.