If you live in Brandon, Florida, and are interested in lung cancer screening, you can take advantage of one of the best programs in the nation at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. In recognition of our commitment to responsible screening, Moffitt has been named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance. While routine testing is not recommended for the general public, it may be appropriate for tobacco users as well as anyone who has a family history of lung cancer or has been exposed to secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos or other carcinogens.
You can feel confident entrusting your preventive healthcare to Moffitt. We’re a high-volume cancer center, which means that our multispecialty team sees more lung cancer patients than most other providers. But, at the same time, we’re not an assembly line. Our approach is highly individualized, and our lung cancer screening program includes a one-on-one consultation with a specialized oncologist at our office located near Brandon, FL.
Lung cancer screening is performed with an imaging machine that produces low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest area. This relatively short and simple procedure involves no medications or injections, and there is no need to fast beforehand. If you’re scheduled for an exam, here’s an idea of what you can expect:
- You will be asked to lie still on a table.
- The table will slowly move through a CT scanner.
- An X-ray machine will rotate around your body, taking pictures from many angles.
- A computer will then combine the images into a highly detailed composite.
- A specialist will carefully review the composite and note any areas that require further evaluation.
The importance of lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals cannot be overstated. Despite the significant progress that has been made to date in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this condition, it still remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Of course, smoking cessation is the best long-term strategy for reducing the impact of lung cancer on our society. Even so, as the number of people who use tobacco products is steadily on the decline, the incidence of lung cancer continues to rise. For this reason, we believe the most practical and immediate method to improve the prognosis for lung cancer patients is to diagnose patients earlier, when there are generally more treatment options available. In sum, screening saves lives, and Moffitt is committed to offering the most effective program possible.
If you’d like to learn more about lung cancer screening available near you, the Thoracic Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center is an excellent resource. You can request an appointment at our campus located near Brandon, FL, by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing our new patient registration form online. We do not require referrals.