King’s Daughters Medical Center Earns Acr Lung Cancer Screening Center Designation

Brookhaven, MS —

The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center 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.

KDMC Radiology Director, Wanda Biokua said, “This designation is vital to our community. Providing lung screenings for those that may be at risk of lung disease is so important. These Lung screenings can catch lung tumors when they’re still tiny enough to be treated easily; this type of screening is literally a life-saver. Providing this service to our community and Southwest Mississippi is evident that KDMC cares for our community and their health.”

Talk to your primary care provider to see if you qualify for a lung cancer screening. For more information, call the Radiology department at 601.835.9292.

Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. In December 2013, the United States 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. Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.

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.

Many people are reluctant to be screened due to past judgement of their smoking. We want to separate the Lung Screening from the guilt associated with past or current smoking. We are here to help our patients without judgement. Screening is not about guilt or pressure to quit smoking though we offer support if and when a patient is ready to quit. Because these Lung screenings can catch lung tumors when they’re still tiny enough to be treated easily, this type of screening is literally a life-saver.