Ballad Health offering free lung cancer screenings for Lung Cancer Awareness Month

In recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, Ballad Health is offering free, low-dose CT lung cancer screenings across the Appalachian Highlands, making early detection more accessible for those at highest risk.

For the second consecutive year, and with generous support from Ballad Health Foundation, eligible individuals who have never had a low-dose CT lung cancer screening can receive a free screening at any participating Ballad Health facility. Last November, more people were screened at Ballad Health for lung cancer than in any other month since 2018, demonstrating the community’s strong commitment to early detection.

“Ballad Health Foundation once again emphasizes that early detection is essential for achieving the best possible outcomes in the face of a cancer diagnosis,” said Jack Simpson, president of Ballad Health Foundation. “As we observe Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we’re committed to helping as many individuals as possible access low-dose CT lung scans. We deeply appreciate the generous philanthropic support from individuals and businesses across the Appalachian Highlands that make this effort possible.”

Lung cancer continues to challenge the Appalachian Highlands, where it is frequently discovered in later stages, when treatment options may be limited. Ballad Health’s advanced diagnostic and treatment services now provide more opportunities for residents to identify lung disease during its earliest, most treatable phases.

Lung cancer facts:

• According to the American Lung Association, 43% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed in the late stages.
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women in the United States.
• Smoking is a primary risk factor for lung cancer.
• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual screening for those who are eligible.

Low-dose CT screening represents one of the most significant advancements in early cancer detection, providing quick and painless images of the lungs. Early detection improves survival rates by enabling timely treatment interventions.

“Early detection gives people the best chance for a good outcome,” said Dr. Shari K. Rajoo, vice president and chief medical officer for population health at Ballad Health. “Currently, only about 18% of people who are at high risk for lung cancer get screened. We want to change that for people in the Appalachian Highlands by making sure those who are eligible get this important preventive screening. It’s also really important to continue with annual screenings as long as you meet the qualifications.

“It’s a quick, simple test — and it could be life-changing. Talk to your primary care provider today. Working together, we have the chance to decrease lung cancer in our communities.”

To qualify for a free screening, patients must:

• Be between the ages of 50 and 80
• Have no previous lung cancer diagnosis
• Have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (one pack-year equals smoking one pack per day for a year)
• Be a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years
• Have not had any prior low-dose CT scans
• Have not had a chest CT scan within the last 12 months

Appointments for free screenings must be scheduled in November, and scans can be completed any time through Monday, Dec. 15. A clinician referral is required; eligible individuals should contact their physician’s office to request a low-dose CT imaging order. To learn more about low-dose CT scans, visit balladhealth.org/medical-services/screenings/low-dose-ct or call 833.8.BALLAD