Norwood Urgent Care designated by The American College of Radiology (ACR) as top quality provider for safe, effective diagnostic imaging for individuals at high risk for lung cancer.
As an ACR-designated lung cancer screening center our facility demonstrates commitment to providing high-quality screening care and patient safety.
Statistics have proven that Lung Cancer has become the highest leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. For this reason, we have sought accreditation by the highest standard in medical imaging, the American College of Radiology (ACR).
What is a Lung Cancer Screening?
The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer. Lung cancer screening, otherwise known as “Thoracic computed tomography (CT), is the only test demonstrated to reduce mortality from lung cancer in high-risk current and former cigarette smokers (1,2).” Norwood Urgent Care’s Neusoft Neuviz 16-slice CT scanner uses a low dose of radiation to create multiple images for diagnostic evaluation used to provide our patients a technology that can help identify lung cancer before a patient becomes symptomatic.
Lung Cancer Statistics:
Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. In December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening of 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. Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
Who is eligible for the screening?
Based on American College of Radiology (ACR) standards multiple questions will be discussed during your visit with a licensed medical provider. The answers to the questions will help the provider determine your level of risk for lung cancer. Some of the questions the provider may ask include:
Do you fall between the age group of 50-74 years?
Do you have a 30 pack year history of smoking?
Have you stopped smoking with in the past 15 years?The following link will provide more information on the different levels of risk.
http://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/lung_screening/index.html#6
Do I need an order from my doctor?
No, although your primary care provider can order a lung cancer screening for you. Our medical staff will assess your medical history to determine if you meet the lung cancer screening risk factors.
What are the risks associated with Lung Cancer Screenings?
Risks associated with Lung Cancer screenings are minimal and often include an increase in a patient’s anxiety level due to stress associated with test results. Another important risk patients and physicians must consider is the dose of radiation to complete the test. Norwood Urgent Care uses a Neuviz 16 slice low dose CT scanner. Based on the scanners technological capabilities, we are able to perform the test using a low dose of radiation (3mGy) meeting the requirements set forth by the American College of Radiology.
What is the process to get a screening done?
Our medical providers will consult with patients about the risks and benefits of lung cancer screenings. Based on the ACR standards that indicate a higher risk of lung cancer for the patient, the physician will order a lung cancer screening. The CT screening only takes 10 minutes to perform. Once the scan is complete our physician as well as a Board Certified Radiologist will read the images. The results of the scan will determine how our medical provider will guide your care following your test results.
How long will it take to receive results?
It is very important to us at Norwood Urgent Care that we make our patients at ease as much as possible. We know that waiting for test results can be very stressful so it is our goal to make sure the patient will receive their results before they leave our office. The entire visit should take approximately 1.5 hours.
What is the cost of a Lung Cancer Screening?
In today’s society, we realize healthcare has become nearly inaccessible, copayments and deductibles are on the rise and the overall cost of health care services have spiraled out of control. For this reason, we have created an affordable alternative for a test that would traditionally cost up to one thousand dollars. For a total cost of $160 dollars, you will receive a pre-assessment, interview by a licensed medical provider and if indicated receive a Lung Cancer CT screening, written results by a board certified radiologist licensed in the state of Massachusetts, and complete follow-up direction.
The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.
- Aberle DR, Adams AM, Berg CD, et al. Reduced lung-cancer mortality with low-dose computed tomorgraphic screening. N Engl Med. 2011;365(5):395-409.
- Henschke CI, Boffetta P, Gorlova O, Yip R, Delancey JO, Foy M. Assessment of lung-cancer mortality reduction from CT screening. Lung Cancer. 2011;71(3): 328-332.
- “Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results ProgramTurning Cancer Data Into Discovery.” Cancer of the Lung and Bronchus. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html>.