The Medical Center at Albany has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program recognizing facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

“Receiving the designation in Lung Cancer Screening shows the dedication The Medical Center at Albany has for our community,” said Laura Belcher, Administrator and Vice President of The Medical Center at Albany. “Research shows early detection saves lives, and The Medical Center has made a commitment to our community through purchasing and installing a 64-slice GE Revolution EVO Scanner. Our team will perform the screening exam, and we have a process in place to follow-up with patients for future monitoring and education.”

“We are excited that in addition to our recent CT ACR accreditation, we are now a Designated Lung Cancer Screening Center,” said Tara Chilton, RTRM, Radiology Manager at The Medical Center at Albany. “The low-dose lung cancer screening is a quick and easy screening with minimal radiation exposure. If you smoke or have smoked in the past, please discuss the benefits of having a low-dose lung cancer screening with your medical provider – it might just save your life.”

In order to receive this distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography (CT) in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Facilities must also have procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs. In addition to The Medical Center at Albany, Med Center Health facilities which maintain this designation include The Medical Center at Caverna, The Medical Center at Franklin, and Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging, a department of The Medical Center at Bowling Green.

Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. A low-dose CT lung cancer screening may be available free of charge if an individual is 50 to 80 years old with a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smokes or has quit within the past 15 years. A 20 pack-year smoking history is defined as a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.

Individuals who meet the criteria noted above should consider an annual screening for lung cancer. Individuals should talk with their doctor about their risk and obtain a physician’s order. To learn more about low-dose lung cancer screenings, contact The Medical Center at Albany at 606-387-8000 or visit MedCenterHealth.org/lung.

About the ACR

The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians. For more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Center designation, visit: acr.org/Quality-Safety/Lung-Cancer-Screening-Center.