Centegra Offers Free CT Lung Screenings in November

McHENRY – This November in recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Centegra Health System offers free low-dose CT lung screenings to long-time smokers to detect lung cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.

The CT lung screenings typically cost $299 at Centegra.

The National Lung Cancer Screening Trial says CT lung screenings may prevent as many as 20 percent more lung cancer deaths than chest X-ray screenings or no screenings at all.

“In McHenry County where lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer-related cause of death, the screenings can help us find lung cancer early,” said Dr. Spiro Gerolimatos, an independent radiologist at Centegra Health System. 

“This is especially important because lung cancer does not have symptoms. It usually spreads before it is found.”

Centegra’s free CT lung screenings are available to smokers between the ages of 55 and 74 who have smoked one pack per day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years. 

In 2011, 55 percent of lung cancer diagnoses at Centegra Hospital-McHenry and 51 percent at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock were found in the most advanced stage of cancer, when a cure is very unlikely.

“These CT lung screenings take just 30 minutes and they can be life saving,” Gerolimatos said. “We encourage eligible smokers to schedule their screenings and to take advantage of this great offer for the community.”

The free screenings are made possible in part by a generous donation from the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation. 

They are available at Centegra Imaging Center-Crystal Lake and at Centegra Imaging Center-Huntley. A physician order is not needed. To schedule a free CT lung screening, call 815-344-5566. For more information, visit centegra.org/lungscreening.

Source: Centegra Health Systems