SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital will participate in National Lung Screening Day by offering up to 12 free low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screenings to eligible uninsured and underinsured individuals on Saturday, November 14.
The American Lung Association supports the initiative through a grant. The goal is to increase access to potentially life-saving lung cancer screenings for individuals who may otherwise delay care due to financial barriers.
“Low-dose CT screening has been a remarkable tool in the fight against lung cancer,” said Gayla Hall, RN, Clinical Trial Coordinator for SSM Health in Southern Illinois. “We’ve seen an increase in patients being diagnosed at earlier stages of lung cancer, which significantly improves survival rates and quality of life.”
In addition to providing screenings, SSM Health has introduced a regional multidisciplinary review process designed to accelerate care for patients with concerning findings. Patients whose scans receive a Lung-RADS score of four are reviewed by a team of cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists and radiologists who collaborate to determine the most appropriate next steps.
“This process helps patients move more quickly from abnormal imaging to diagnosis and treatment when needed,” Hall said. “By bringing specialists together to review each case, we’re able to reduce delays and help patients navigate follow-up care more efficiently.”
The screening process is simple, painless, and typically takes less than 30 minutes from registration to completion. No IV contrast is required, and the CT scan itself is only five to 10 minutes.
To participate, patients must first schedule an appointment by calling Karen Kelley, RN, at 618-899-1894. Before the scan, patients will meet with Nocole Abenes, APRN-CNP, for a shared decision-making visit to confirm eligibility, review smoking history, and discuss potential follow-up care if abnormalities are detected.
