COLUMBIA, Tenn. — In recognition of National Lung Cancer Screening Day, Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) will offer convenient Saturday appointments for computed tomography (CT) lung cancer screenings for those who qualify on Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
National Lung Cancer Screening Day is in its second year as a partnership between the American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, American College of Radiology, Radiology Health Equity Coalition and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The goal of the initiative is to increase access to lung cancer screenings that help detect lung cancer in its earliest stages.
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, accounting for an estimated 127,000 deaths in the U.S. this year alone. Early detection is vital to successful treatment, and Maury Regional Health recommends screenings for those who qualify.
Patients who qualify for a CT lung cancer screening may schedule their exam by calling 931.380.4044. Screening appointments are available at MRMC on Saturday, Nov. 11, for National Lung Cancer Screening Day in addition to being available throughout the year Monday-Friday. To qualify for a CT lung screening covered by most insurance plans, patients must meet the following criteria:
- Be 50-77 years of age
- Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer
- Have a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (one pack-year = smoking one pack per day for one year; one pack = 20 cigarettes)
- Be a current smoker or one who has quit within the last 15 years
- Receive a written order from your physician
Patients who don’t meet the above criteria can opt for a self-referral CT screening of the chest/lung area without a physician’s order for a self-pay price of $100. To schedule, call 931.380.4044.
For those who are unable to attend the National Lung Cancer Screening Day event at MRMC, Maury Regional Health also offers screenings Monday-Friday at MRMC, Marshall Medical Center in Lewisburg, Spring Hill Imaging Center in Spring Hill and Wayne Medical Center in Waynesboro. For more information, visit MauryRegional.com/Lung.