Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for both men and women in the United States, accounting for about one in five cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. More people die from lung cancer each year than from colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.
Early detection is key to improving survival rates. Most lung cancers are found only after symptoms develop—such as coughing up blood or sudden shortness of breath—which often means the disease has already spread beyond the lungs. Statistics show that three out of four lung cancer cases are diagnosed at stage III or IV, making treatment more challenging.
Dr. Marc Bailey, a cardiothoracic surgeon with St. Joseph’s/Candler Physician Network and the Advanced Thoracic Oncology Center at the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, emphasized early detection: “It’s one of the most cured solid organ cancers as a stage one cancer.”
He noted that screening is crucial for those at risk: “Besides not smoking, screening is the No. 1 thing we can do to prevent late-stage lung cancer.”
St. Joseph’s/Candler offers a Lung Cancer Screening Program aimed at heavy smokers who do not yet show symptoms of disease. The program uses low-dose CT scans to identify small tumors before they become dangerous. Dr. M. Douglas Mullins, medical director and interventional pulmonologist at the Advanced Thoracic Oncology Center, explained that this method provides detailed images while minimizing radiation exposure.
A recent National Cancer Institute study involving over 50,000 high-risk patients found that annual low-dose CT screenings could detect lung cancer earlier and reduce mortality by 20 percent among high-risk smokers over age 55.
“We’ve already seen great improvements so now the goal is to get more people screened,” said Dr. Bailey. “We’re trying to get the word out, and if people qualify for it, I encourage you to at least go talk to your provider about it.”
To qualify for screening through St. Joseph’s/Candler’s program, individuals must be between 50 and 80 years old; have a smoking history equivalent to at least one pack per day for 30 years; currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years; and may have a family history of lung cancer.
Screenings require a physician’s order each time and are recommended annually. Locations include St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, Candler Hospital in Savannah, SJ/C Imaging Center – Pooler in Georgia, and SJ/C Imaging Center – Bluffton in South Carolina.
Medicare and most government insurance programs cover these screenings; those with private insurance should verify coverage with their provider.
