November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Lung Association is initiating free lung cancer screenings for residents of Illinois. The aim is to address the fact that every two and a half minutes, someone in the U.S. receives a lung cancer diagnosis, with eight million individuals classified as high-risk. Early detection plays a crucial role as it can lead to effective treatment or even a cure if identified before spreading.
“Lung cancer accounts for more than 20% of cancer deaths making it the #1 cause of cancer deaths for both women and men in the United States,” said Mikayla Pittman, Manager, Nationwide Health Promotions for the Lung Association. “Many people don’t know they’re at risk and getting screened can save thousands of lives by improving treatment outcomes.”
The screening initiative particularly targets certain counties where higher rates of lung cancer are prevalent among Black men and women and white men compared to neighboring areas. The program will run until the end of June.
Eligible participants can contact a Lung Health Navigator at 844-ALA-LUNG to determine their eligibility for screening. If eligible, they will receive support from the Lung Association regarding information on nearby screening centers and guidance on obtaining referrals from their doctors. Assistance with understanding insurance coverage is also provided.
A Navigator will help address financial barriers by covering any outstanding balance for lung cancer screenings and arranging transportation if needed.
Most insurance plans cover these scans; however, for those without insurance, the Lung Association will bear the costs. More details can be found at Lung.org/lcs-assistance.
Governor J.B. Pritzker's office has declared November 2024 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Illinois to enhance awareness about lung cancer and available screenings. National Lung Cancer Screening Day falls on Saturday, November 9, when numerous facilities in Illinois will offer services for those unable to take time off work.
For further inquiries about the Lung Screening program, Janye Killelea can be contacted at [email protected] or (312) 940-7624.
