Finding lung cancer early

Kentucky has the highest rate of lung cancer in the U.S. If you’re at risk, catching it early is critical. If caught early, the chance of surviving five years improves from 11 percent to 55 percent.

If you’re at risk for lung cancer, talk to our lung cancer nurse navigator about getting a screening with a low-dose lung CT scan. This painless scan can detect even the smallest tumors and takes only a few minutes. The entire appointment can take less than a half-hour.

Lung cancer screenings are recommended for those who are at high risk, including:

• People ages 55 to 77
• Current smokers or those who have quit in the past 15 years
• People who smoked one or more packs a day for 30 or more years
• People who have a family history of lung cancer

A physician referral is required for a lung screening.

Signs of lung cancer

• Coughing up blood
• Lung infections (bronchitis or pneumonia) that won’t go away or keep coming back
• Cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse
• Chest pain that is often worse when deep breathing, coughing or laughing
• Weight loss; loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling tired or weak

Lung cancer screenings are recommended before symptoms appear. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, contact Norton Cancer Institute at (502) 629-5864.

Comprehensive Lung Center at Norton Cancer Institute

The Comprehensive Lung Center at Norton Cancer Institute is a Screening Center of Excellence, as designated by the Lung Cancer Alliance. Led by a team of lung specialists, the center combines four comprehensive components — prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment — to ensure each patient has access to state-of-the-art lung cancer screening, same-day follow-up appointments and fast-track treatment and support services.