Great Plains Health Pulmonology launches lung cancer screening program
Contact: Emily Theiler
Great Plains Health Pulmonology is excited to announce the launch of a new lung cancer screening program, beginning in May 2024. This initiative is aimed at providing accessible and proactive healthcare for individuals at risk of developing lung cancer.
The program offers personalized consultations with a healthcare provider to determine eligibility for a low dose CT scan. These screenings use minimal radiation to provide detailed images of patients' lungs. During the consultation, a provider will discuss the risks and benefits associated with the screening and can help coordinate with your primary care doctor. If eligible, the scans are covered by Medicare and many other insurance companies.
Dr. Guido Molina, Pulmonologist at Great Plains Health, emphasizes the importance of proactive screening: "Lung cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages, which limits treatment options and survival rates. Through these screenings, we can catch signs of cancer early when treatment is most effective."
According to Natasha Burch, APRN at Great Plains Health Pulmonology, "Early detection is key in the fight against lung cancer. By offering accessible screening appointments, we hope to identify potential issues sooner and provide patients with timely intervention and care."
"We encourage individuals who smoke or have a history of smoking to consider these screenings," says Burch. "It's a proactive step towards better health and well-being."
Dr. Molina adds, "Our team is committed to providing comprehensive care and support to patients throughout the screening process and beyond."
To qualify for these screenings, patients must meet the following criteria:
• Individuals aged 50 to 80 years old.
• A history of at least 20 pack-years of smoking. This equates to smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years, or an equivalent (e.g., half a pack per day for 40 years).
• Either currently smoking or have quit within the last 15 years.
To schedule a consultation or screening appointment, please call Great Plains Health Pulmonology clinic at 308.568.3500 or visit gphealth.org/services/pulmonology
About Great Plains Health
Based in North Platte, Nebraska, Great Plains Health is a fully accredited, 116-bed acute-care regional medical center serving western and central Nebraska, northern Kansas, and southern South Dakota. With 90 physicians representing nearly 30 medical specialties, the Great Plains Health system offers advanced health care, including heart and vascular, cancer, and orthopedic surgery services. Great Plains Health is a Level III trauma center, and all of its emergency department physicians are residency-trained and board-certified in emergency medicine. The system employs approximately 1,200 employees and serves a geographic area spanning approximately 16,000 square miles. The hospital is accredited by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) and is home to an American College of Surgeons-accredited cancer center and Level II bariatric surgery program. For more information, visit gphealth.org.
About Great Plains Health Pulmonology
Great Plains Health Pulmonology provides high-quality pulmonary care using the latest techniques and best practices to achieve optimal outcomes. Led by Dr. Guido Molina, the team of healthcare providers specializes in treating a range of respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and pulmonary hypertension. The clinic offers advanced procedures such as bronchoscopy and lung cancer screenings to diagnose and treat respiratory disorders.