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*To compute pack years, multiply the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years you were a smoker. For example:
1 pack a day for 30 years = 30 pack years
2 packs a day for 10 years plus 1 pack a day for 6 years = 26 pack years
If you’re a
smoker, be
a quitter.
About 85 percent of lung
cancers are caused by smoking.
If you smoke, the best way to
prevent lung cancer is to stop.
Screening is no substitute for
quitting. Need some help? Here
are three tips from the experts
at St. Helena Hospital:
Schedule a quit-smoking
appointment with your
primary care doctor.
You’ll learn about resources
and come up with a
personal plan.
Consider medicines
and nicotine-
replacement aids.
Patches, pills, gum,
lozenges and nasal sprays
are some you might want
to use.
Gather support.
These are good places
to start:
1
2
3
cancer specialist Gregory B. Smith, MD.
“Sometimes they are scars left by infection
or smoking. But we need to continue to
monitor patients who are at high risk.”
The screening costs $257 for eligible
patients. Patients must pay the fee up
front. They can submit the receipt to their
insurance. Medicare and many private
insurance plans do not yet pay for the
screening. However, they may in the future.
Screening: An important step
The main message for at-risk patients is to
be screened, Ortelle says. “Most of the time
I get to tell people good news — we didn’t
find anything,” she says. “When I do have to
tell someone they have a spot on their lung,
there’s still good news. We found it earlier
than we would have without the screening.
“This is one case where what you
don’t
know
can
hurt you.”
To find out if you should be screened, talk with your primary care
doctor. People also can self-refer by calling 800.358.9195.
People who meet the criteria in either of these categories are
considered high-risk and are urged to be screened for lung cancer.
n
55 to 80 years old.
n
Current smoker, or quit within the past 15 years.
n
Have at least a 30-pack-year* history of smoking.
n
50 to 74 years old.
n
Have at least a 20-pack-year* history of smoking.
n
Have one additional lung-cancer risk factor, such as:
•
A family history of lung cancer.
•
A personal history of certain cancers and chronic lung conditions.
•
Exposure to cancer-causing compounds, such as radon,
asbestos or diesel fumes.
Who is eligible?
GROUP 1
GROUP 2
n
St. Helena Center for Health
Smoke Free Life: 800.920.3438 or
(look under the “Lifestyle Medicine” tab).
n
Live Well – St. Helena Family Health
Center – Clearlake, Smoking Cessation
Program: 707.995.4545.
n
California Smokers Helpline:
800.NO.BUTTS
or
.
n
American Cancer Society:
.
n
U.S. government quit-smoking
portal:
.
