Great Plains Health Partners with Nebraska Cancer Coalition to Promote Life-Saving Lung Cancer Screenings
Contact: Emily Theiler
North Platte, Neb. (November 26, 2024) -- Great Plains Health has joined the annual statewide effort organized by the Nebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) to heighten awareness of lifesaving lung cancer screening during November, Lung Cancer Awareness month.
Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in Nebraska for both men and women. In 2024, the American Cancer Society estimates 1,190 new cases and 700 deaths from lung cancer in Nebraska. The stage of diagnosis strongly affects outcomes. The most recent Nebraska data indicates that the 5-year relative survival rates for lung cancer are 63% for early-stage diagnoses, while rates for later-stage cases fall to 35% for regional diagnoses and 3% for distant diagnoses. The American Lung Association reported that in 2023, only 3.7% of Nebraskans at high risk for lung cancer were screened.
"Lung cancer screening is critical, as symptoms often only become prevalent in later stages of the disease when it's much more difficult to Breathe Easy and battle the disease. It's important for Nebraskans with a history of smoking to talk to their health care provider about screening as soon as possible," said NC2 President Dr. Alan Thorson.
"When we detect cancer early in stage one or two, the treatment approach is completely different," stated Dr. Molina, Pulmonologist at Great Plains Health. "Early detection in the beginning stages significantly improves quality of life for our patients. Screening is our best tool in this fight - it's always better to prevent or catch something early rather than late in the game."
Screening for lung cancer with a yearly low-dose CT scan for those at high risk can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20% by detecting tumors at early stages when they are more likely to be curable according to the American Lung Association (ALA). Lung cancer screening is recommended by the CDC for people ages 50-80 years with a 20+ pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. It is critical that we spread the word that in order to Breathe Easy, Nebraskans should get screened for lung cancer.