When it comes to lung cancer, early detection can change a patient’s story significantly – and St. Tammany Health System is helping more people get there, ranking No. 1 in Louisiana from the American Lung Association for referring patients to its lung cancer screening assistance program.
Through the partnership, STHS has referred 73 patients this year who otherwise may not have had access to lung cancer screening. Two of those patients have since been diagnosed with lung cancer – a sobering reminder that sometimes the most important part of treating a disease is finding it early.
“As a health system, we have a responsibility to make sure our community has access to the care and resources that can make a difference in their lives,” said Joan Coffman, STHS president and CEO. “I am incredibly proud of the colleagues who are identifying patients who may benefit from screening and helping connect them with this important resource. Their work reflects the compassion and commitment we strive to bring to every patient we serve.”
Through its partnership with the American Lung Association, the health system works to connect patients with assistance navigating the screening process, including patients who might otherwise face barriers to getting screened, according to STHS Lung Cancer Screening Coordinator Megan Broussard.
“We have referred 73 people who otherwise may not have had access to lung cancer screening, and two have already been diagnosed with lung cancer,” Broussard said. “Those two diagnoses are a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Finding lung cancer early can give patients more opportunities for treatment and care.”
Lung screenings are particularly important because lung cancer often does not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages, Broussard said. Screening can find the disease before symptoms develop in people who are at increased risk, when treatment may be more effective and patients may have more options.
The work comes as STHS joins health care organizations nationwide in recognizing November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month through its annual awareness efforts, formally St. Tammany United in Lung Health: The Power of Pearl.
For more information about the importance of lung cancer screenings, visit www.sthfoundation.org/unitedinpearl.