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Advancing the Fight against Lung Cancer through Annual Screening

Sharon L. Coote-Johnson, PA and Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) Program Director, and Audel P Dulalia, RRT, at the
Sharon L. Coote-Johnson, Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) Program Director, and Audel P Dulalia, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), at the "Great American Smokeout" on November 15, 2023.
By Ashley P. Flowers, Public Affairs Specialist

Lung cancer remains an important health concern for Veterans, highlighting the need for awareness, understanding, and proactive measures

Sharon L. Coote-Johnson is a Physician Assistant and the Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) Program Director at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. "Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer among Veterans," PA Coote-Johnson shares, "which is why lung cancer screening is so important."

The Lung Cancer Screening Program identifies eligible Veterans as those who:

  • are ages 50 – 80. 
  • have a 20 or more pack-year history of smoking.
  • currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

Once a patient is enrolled in the medical center’s Lung Cancer Screening Program, an annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan is taken to provide a detailed picture of the lungs. The scan allows medical providers to check for abnormal or cancerous nodules. 

"The DC VA Medical Center team has been successful in identifying cancers very early, in stage one, and we're able to treat and usually cure Veterans with surgery," Coote-Johnson stated. "We also have an incidental nodule program where we've caught a few cancers in patients who don't smoke at all or haven't smoked 20 pack-years," Coote-Johnson added. Within the past three years, more than 100 Veteran patients have been diagnosed and treated at an early stage. The program demonstrates the VA’s commitment to providing quality care to Veterans and is reducing the impact of lung cancer within the Veteran community.

PA Coote-Johnson developed and implemented the DC VA Medical Center’s screening program during her three-year tenure as Program Director.  Coote-Johnson, works closely with the tobacco cessation team, offering medications and support for Veterans on the path to quit. 

Speak with your VA care team about preventative screenings. To learn more about annual lung cancer screening, email sharon.coote-johnson@va.gov.

If you are a smoker and you are ready to quit smoking the DC VA Medical Center offers multiple resources. Visit: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/quit-tobacco/index.asp or call the VA Tobacco Cessation Quitline, 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838).