Lung Cancer Screening Program: Cedars-Sinai Implements a Streamlined Approach by Sara Ghandehari MD

Lung Cancer Screening Program: Cedars-Sinai Implements a Streamlined Approach by Sara Ghandehari MD

Sara Ghandehari, MD

Cedars-Sinai is a non-profit hospital located in Los Angeles, California. They recently implemented a program aimed at increasing the frequency of lung cancer screening, which is currently very low. In this article, we will discuss Cedars-Sinai’s streamlined approach to lung cancer screening, the criteria used to identify eligible individuals, and how their program compares to other similar programs.

According to Cedars-Sinai, the rate of lung cancer screening is very low. Nationally, only 6% of those who qualify for lung cancer screening are getting screened. In California, only 1% of those who are eligible for lung cancer screening are getting screened. Cedars-Sinai recognized this issue and decided to take action by creating a program focused solely on lung cancer screening.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force provides guidelines on who is eligible for lung cancer screening based on clinical trials data. The most recent recommendation is for adults between the ages of 50 and 80 years who have a history of smoking of 20 pack (more than 2 packs a week) years, and have either actively smoked or quit smoking within the past 15 years, to undergo low dose CT scan on an annual basis. Cedars-Sinai follows these guidelines and evaluates patients who meet the criteria (eg. quitting in the past 15 years) for their lung cancer screening program.

The lung cancer screening program at Cedars-Sinai is intended for otherwise healthy individuals who do not have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer. Patients who have respiratory symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath, and weight loss, are not eligible for the screening. Individuals who have had prior history (family history) of cancers, such as breast cancer, but have undergone diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment may potentially be eligible. However, the screening is not intended for those who either have active lung cancer or are under surveillance for lung cancer.

What is the Cedars-Sinai Lung Cancer Screening Program?

Cedars-Sinai has a hybrid program for lung cancer screening, which provides both centralized and decentralized options for lung cancer screening. In a centralized program, the patient is referred to the program, and all that needs to be done for the lung cancer screening is taken care of by those specialized in this area. They navigate the patient through the process of evaluation, ordering the CT scan, and following up with the results with the patient and their referring provider, as well as help the patient through what needs to be done next. In a decentralized program, the organization has the ability to perform low-dose CT scans, but the primary care provider is responsible for knowing if the patient is eligible, doing all the appropriate counseling, shared decision making visits before the patient gets the CT scan, and following up with the patient after the lung screening CT scan is done.

At Cedars-Sinai, providers that want to take care of the patients themselves and go through the counseling and appropriateness of what needs to be done can refer the patient directly to a lung cancer screening provider-managed program. They can have the patients get their screening CT scan, and they will receive reminder follow-ups as to when the patients need to get screened again. Providers who are spread too thin during the visits and do not want to go through identifying eligible patients and spend time on other health maintenance or active issues can refer the patient to the centralized program for lung cancer screening.

What will the Lung Cancer Screening Program Entail?

The navigator for the program will have a virtual visit with the patient and during this visit, she gets a full detailed history, reviews the smoking, and orders a chest CT for lung cancer screening. A lot of information from the neck all the way to the upper parts of the abdomen is scanned, and things that have nothing to do with the lungs may be found and need to be addressed and managed. It is important for the patients to know what to expect and what the possibilities are after they get a CT scan. This includes if there is a nodule and what that means, whether the nodule is potentially benign but may need follow-up or intervention in the future for lung cancer.

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What is Lung Cancer and why does it go undiagnosed?

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. It occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and form a mass or tumor in the lungs, which can interfere with lung function and lead to various symptoms such as cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Lung cancer can go undiagnosed for a number of reasons. One of the main factors is that symptoms of lung cancer may not appear until the cancer has advanced to a later stage, making it harder to treat. Additionally, many of the symptoms of lung cancer are also common to other respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, which can delay diagnosis of lung cancer.

Another reason lung cancer may go undiagnosed is that many people who develop the disease are current or former smokers, and there is often a stigma associated with smoking that can make people hesitant to seek medical attention. This can result in a delay in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

Other factors that can contribute to delayed diagnosis of lung cancer include a lack of routine screening, a shortage of healthcare providers or resources in certain areas, and poor access to healthcare for certain populations, such as low-income or rural communities do not have access to lung cancer screenings.

Overall, early detection is key to improving outcomes for people with lung cancer. Regular screening for individuals at high risk, such as current or former smokers, can help identify the disease at an earlier stage when treatment is more effective. It is important for individuals to be aware of the symptoms of lung cancer and to seek medical attention if they experience any concerning symptoms, even if they quit smoking.

10 Key Takeaways from the Cedars-Sinai Lung Cancer Screening Program

1. Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with early detection being key to improving patient outcomes.

2. Lung cancer screening programs can help detect lung cancer early in high-risk individuals, such as those with a history of smoking.

3. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has implemented a streamlined approach to lung cancer screening, aimed at improving patient care and reducing barriers to screening through family physicians.

4. The program utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach, including radiologists, pulmonologists, and thoracic surgeons, to provide comprehensive care for patients who may be susceptible to lung cancer.

5. The program uses low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans, which have been shown to be effective in detecting lung cancer in its early stages.

6. The program offers personalized risk assessment and counseling to help patients make informed decisions about lung cancer screening.

7. Patients who are identified as high-risk for lung cancer are offered regular screening and follow-up care.

8. The program also offers smoking cessation resources and support to help patients quit smoking, which is an important factor in reducing the high-risk factors of lung cancer.

9. The program is committed to ongoing quality improvement, with regular monitoring and evaluation of screening and treatment outcomes for lung cancer.

10. Overall, Cedars-Sinai’s streamlined approach to lung cancer screening represents a promising new model for improving access to care and reducing barriers to screening for high-risk individuals of lung cancer.

Sara Ghandehari, MD – About The Author, Credentials, and Affiliations

Sara Ghandehari, MD, is a highly skilled primary care provider currently practicing at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. She received her medical degree from a reputable medical school and completed her residency training at a prestigious academic medical center.

Dr. Ghandehari is an expert in her field and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions, including lung cancer. She possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in managing complex medical cases and has a passion for providing high-quality patient care.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ghandehari has been recognized for her outstanding clinical skills and compassionate bedside manner. She is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of her patients and takes a patient-centered approach to care.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Ghandehari is actively involved in medical education and research. She is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest medical advancements and techniques to ensure that her patients receive the best possible care.