Saint Joseph Jessamine, part of KentuckyOne Health, has recently been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

“Evidence shows that people have a lower chance of dying from cancer when detected early through screening,” Greg Giles, Market Director of Ambulatory Operations and Development at KentuckyOne Health, said. “This screening option is a proven strategy for fighting lung cancer, and is a tool that will help us continue to save lives.”

The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer, said the press release.

“There are guidelines for who they recommend for the lung cancer scans, like adults aged 55 to 80 years-old and then based on their insurance,” David McArthur, Senior Manager, Media Relations for KentuckyOne Health said. “It depends on your own insurance provider, but a vast majority are covered.”

Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined, according to the KentuckyOne Health press release.

The five-year survival rates for lung cancer are 16.6 percent, due in part to the fact that most patients have advanced stage lung cancer at initial diagnosis, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Data shows that using low-dose CT is four times more likely to pick up a mass than a traditional chest X-ray, allowing for earlier detection and a better chance at survival.

“The screening is something new and has only been used in the last two to three years,” Giles said. “The screening is something Medicare and private insurance has started to cover. It provides this type of care close to home and gives people the chance, who have a history of smoking, to be able to find something before it becomes more serious.”

For more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Center designation, visit acr.org/Quality-Safety/Lung-Cancer-Screening-Center.