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Low-Dose CT Scan Screening Can Reduce Mortality

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Lung cancer can often be treatable if found at an early stage – now low-dose CT scan screening can reduce mortality for those at high risk.

Much like a yearly mammogram, getting this low-dose CT scan can detect lung cancer before symptoms are evident. This is especially helpful for those who are high risk – over 55 years of age, formerly smoked, or are still smoking. The low-dose CT scan is the only test that can reduce mortality for these individuals according to a recent study.

How does the low-dose CT scan work?

The patient lies on a moveable table that slides in and out of a machine while a specialized type of X-ray takes photos of the lungs. These photos are combined into a detailed image via computer allowing doctors to view lung cancer at an early stage.

What will the scan show?

Positive: This means an abnormality was identified. From this information, the doctor may want additional tests.
Negative: No abnormal findings in the scan, however, the doctor may suggest additional scans in the future.
Indeterminate: While no abnormality was found, the doctor may recommend further imaging and follow-up at a later date.

Who can get this scan and what is the cost?

The American Lung Association (ALA) has a website page dedicated to answers on this as it differs according to the patient’s insurance, age, and smoking history. In general, the patient must be 55 or older, have a long history of heavy smoking, and no signs of lung cancer. When that criteria is met, there is no charge when using an in-network facility.

What should you do now?

Start by taking the ALA quiz that will identify issues and provide a document to take to your doctor. To prevent most lung cancers, if you are currently smoking, stop now. If you do not smoke, don’t start. If quitting is difficult for you, lung.org provides support through online programs and in-person support groups. You can also call the Lung Help Line at 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872).

This low-dose CT scan technology is not just a hope for the future – it is available now.

VA Lessens Need to Choose Between Hospice and Cancer Treatment

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Too often, cancer patients and their families must choose between traditional hospice limited to palliative care and active treatment of their disease. Fortunately, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) has taken a lead in offering both hospice/palliative care and cancer therapy concurrently in the United States (US). This is a major step in what has been demonstrated in clinical trials to improve quality of life for cancer patients, and, potentially a longer life as well.

Traditionally, when entering hospice, a patient transitioned to a new paradigm – new medical goals, new medical team, perhaps new surroundings. The intent was to provide comfort, symptom relief, and mental relief, both psychologically and spiritually. The US medical establishment has lagged behind the United Kingdom (UK) for the past two decades in merging palliative care into the full range of cancer care.

Palliative care in the US was recognized for its financial benefits initially. Through this model, resources were used more effectively and there were fewer readmissions – both highly prized in the Diagnosis Related Groups reimbursement model, which sets payments and penalizes hospitals for readmissions. But creating a system where patients must choose either hospice or treatment has significant drawbacks. People on the palliative care of hospice no longer had access to treatments that could possibly give them better quality of life, or even extend their lives. Those patients who chose treatments, but not hospice, were denied the extra support and management of symptoms that palliative care offers.

In the 2015 Quality of Death Index, the US came in 9th place behind the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. However, the Centers for Medicate and Medicaid Services (CMS) is currently piloting a new program for Medicare beneficiaries that could change that standing. Patients in the program can receive both palliative and anticancer therapies through any of 140 Medicare-certified hospices enrolled for a period of five years. Patients must fit certain criteria to participate.

Hurdles remain before the US can move up the ladder to providing the best care in the world to its citizens, but with the VA leading the way, and the CMS providing a pilot program for comprehensive care, the US can move up a needed rung on that ladder.

Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2015

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The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is commemorating Global Asbestos Awareness Week by focussing on prevention. The tagline throughout the world is:

“HEAR Asbestos? THINK Prevention!™”

Approximately 125 million people globally are exposed to asbestos where they work according to the World Health Organization. Of those, 107,000 people die each year due to this exposure.

This push towards prevention awareness is timed well as the US Senate is currently discussing our chemical safety laws and that includes asbestos. The United States has yet to ban asbestos. If you agree that its use in this country should be discontinued, contact your senators to let them know you want stronger safety laws. To prevent mesothelioma in the future, it’s critical to stop the use of asbestos now.

From April 1st to April 7th, go to the ADAO website every day to learn more about asbestos and mesothelioma as well as find stories of Mesothelioma Warriors to read and share. We must continue the research to extend life – and cure – these life-threatening asbestos diseases, but we must also do all we can to prevent asbestos ever affecting another person with its deadly fibers.

Actor Ed Lauter Dies from Mesothelioma

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Lauter  Recognizable character actor Ed Lauter, a veteran of movies and TV, passed away at 74.  His publicist said Mr. Lauter died on October 16th from mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos.  The source of exposure was not identified.  Though usually tied to a workplace environment, there are numerous opportunities for exposure since it was used in many types of materials for decades.

Most recently he was featured as the butler in “The Artist;” but he also appeared in “The Longest Yard,” Hitchcock’s “The Family Plot,” “Death Wish 3,” and many TV shows.  After an acting career passing five decades, he was often recognized in public, yet it was rare that people knew his name.

Mr. Lauter continued to work until the past few months and three new movies are still to be released.  He  left a wife and four children.