British Columbia has launched the country’s first lung cancer screening program across the province for residents at high risk.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the innovative program will both save lives and improve their quality.
Screening will be available at 36 centers in all health authorities using existing CT scans for those between the ages of 55 and 74 who are currently smoking or have smoked before and have a history of smoking for 20 years or more.
People who meet these criteria are encouraged to call the risk consultation and assessment program to determine eligibility.
Dr Stephen Lam, medical director of the screening program, says lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Canada and around the world.
He says 70 percent of all cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the program aims to reverse that trend by detecting lung cancer earlier when treatment is more effective.
Dr David Byers, chief executive of the Provincial Health Services, acknowledged BC Cancer for making the launch possible, adding that a centralized system would reduce the burden of cancer, “including among indigenous people who are disproportionately affected by cancer.” lung”.
BC Cancer says that after the appointment, a radiologist will look for spots or nodules during the scan and both the patient and his primary care provider will receive results within three weeks.
It says that screening works best when scanning is done regularly to monitor changes.
The health ministry said in a statement that about 10,000 patients are expected to be examined in the first year of the program, and that number is expected to jump by about 15 percent a year.
“It is estimated that the program will diagnose approximately 150 cases of lung cancer per year, with more than 75 percent of them being diagnosed at an earlier stage than without screening.”
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