TVHS offers new lung cancer screening program

The new program uses low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans for high-risk individuals to detect signs of lung cancer. High-risk Veterans are between 55 and 80 years old, current or former cigarette smokers who quit within the past 15 years and have a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years. The new program is currently offered at Nashville and will be available at the Alvin C. York campus in Murfreesboro and other TVHS clinics later this year.

“Studies show that screening high-risk individuals with low-dose CT scans saves lives from lung cancer,” said Dr. Jennifer Lewis, co-director of VA-TVHS lung cancer screening program. “This is important to Veterans because many Veterans, approximately one million, are high-risk for lung cancer and should be screened.”

The program, which started in May, has screened 46 Veterans and will screen another 30 within the month of November. In the 46 Veterans screened, two lung cancers, one esophageal cancer, and one liver cancer were detected. The majority of Veterans participating in the screening program have reduced their tobacco use independently and four of the Veterans have been referred to the TVHS smoking cessation program.

“Our passion to provide high-quality care to our Veterans drives our work,” Lewis said. “This is a wonderful example of lung cancer primary prevention (tobacco treatment), secondary prevention (early detection), and opportunities to participate in research all taking place at the same time.”

The VA-Partnership to Increase Access to Lung Screening (VA-PALS) project is another driving force behind the screening program.

“This national project is funded by the VA Office of Rural Health and Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation as the Partnership to increase Access to Lung Screening (VA-PALS) for our Veterans,” Lewis said. “The funding also helps with the development of a software system that will be used to track screening results, manage screening-related activities, and coordinate next steps, including when Veterans are due for their next screening.”

If a Veteran thinks they qualify for this new cancer screening, he or she should discuss it with their primary care provider or other healthcare provider. Once a provider places an order, the program coordinator, Pamela Humphery, will call the Veteran to verify eligibility and make sure the Veteran is interested in screening. If the Veteran is eligible and interested, they will be scheduled in the “Lung Cancer Screening Clinic,” a group clinic that meets Fridays from noon – 1:00 in Nashville.

At this clinic, the program coordinator will review what a low-dose CT exam is, explain the screening process and potential risks and benefits, and then assesses whether the Veteran would like to proceed with screening. A smoking cessation counselor will also educate the group on tobacco treatment and support offered at TVHS. Next, a research assistant will discuss potential research opportunities Veterans could participate in at TVHS in the area of lung cancer early detection.

Finally, the program coordinator will escort the Veterans to radiology where they will be screened. Screenings take about 15 minutes and happen the same day to save Veterans from making an additional trip. If a screening is negative, meaning there are no signs of lung cancer, the Veteran will be scheduled for a repeat screening in 12 months. If a screening is positive, the program coordinator will call the Veteran, notify the referring provider, and coordinate next steps in diagnostic evaluation.

“My best advice is to get screened because lung cancer does not produce symptoms until the late stages, and if we screen and detect it early, the cure rate is 80 percent,” said Pamela Humphrey, program coordinator. “Our goal is to save Veterans’ lives from lung cancer through early detection and prevention.”

If you qualify and are interested in participating in the TVHS lung cancer screening program, consult your primary care provider or other TVHS healthcare provider for a referral.