Commonwealth Health W-B General Hospital Earns ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center Designation

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (Jan. 31, 2018) — Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

This designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

In order to receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Also required are procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs.

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital began using this low-dose CT scan in July and studies have shown that lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States – more than breast, prostate, colon and ovarian cancer deaths combined.

Cancer of the bronchus and lung is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania, according to the latest statistics provided by the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. The NRCI reports that 3,374 cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Wayne, Susquehanna and Pike counties with 2,314 deaths reported.

In December 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening of adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. A 30 pack-year history is defined as having smoked an average of one pack per day for 30 years or two packs per day for 15 years.

The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States, devoting its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it.

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