Huntsville Hospital hosting lung cancer screening

HUNTSVILLE — Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., killing an estimated 127,000 Americans each year.

But fewer than 1 in 10 eligible individuals are screened for lung cancer.

This weekend, Huntsville Hospital is taking part in National Lung Cancer Screening Day to help snuff out the numbers. The event is Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Huntsville Hospital Medical Mall Imaging Center, 1963 Memorial Parkway.

Current and former smokers who meet eligibility guidelines will receive a low-dose lung cancer screening CT – the gold standard test for detecting lung cancer even before symptoms are present.

The eligibility guidelines are:

• Current smokers
  Ages 50-80
  Minimum 20-pack year history
• Former smokers
  Ages 50-80
  Quit within the past 15 years
  Minimum 20-pack year history

(Pack-year history is calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years smoked. For example, a person who smoked 2 packs per day for 15 years would have a 30-pack year history.)

The screening is quick, safe and covered by most insurance plans plus Medicare. Talk to your health care provider today to see if you’re eligible.

Those who don’t have a regular health care provider should call 256-265-7870.