The George Washington University Hospital Named Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence
The George Washington University Hospital (GW Hospital), in conjunction with The GW Cancer Center, has been named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) for its ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening. GW Hospital is one of only two hospitals in D.C. to hold this designation. Low dose CT screening for lung cancer, carried out safely, efficiently and equitably saves tens of thousands of lives a year.
“GW Hospital and The GW Cancer Center are committed to bringing lifesaving cancer research, screenings and treatment to our community,” says Kimberly Russo, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director at GW Hospital. “We are proud to receive this recognition that reflects this ongoing and focused dedication to reducing cancer deaths across our region.”
As part of its commitment to lung cancer screenings, GW Hospital has been performing low dose CT screenings for lung cancer for four years. Since its start, GW Hospital has performed more than 800 screenings and has identified 320 individuals at risk. The scan itself only takes 60 seconds to complete and is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans.
“Early detection of lung cancer in high-risk individuals is vital to effective treatment,” says Keith Mortman, MD, Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at GW Hospital. “By finding lung cancer early, we are able to work closely with our patients and multidisciplinary team to create a care plan that will yield the best possible outcomes.”
Individuals may be at high risk if they meet the following criteria: are between 55 and 77 years old; have smoked a pack of cigarettes or more every day for at least 30 years; and are a current smoker, or quit smoking less than 15 years ago. It is recommended that those at high-risk have a baseline CT scan and then repeat annually. To schedule an appointment, call 1-855-495-8647 (1-855-GWLUNGS).
Designated Screening Centers of Excellence are committed to providing clear information based on current evidence on who is a candidate for lung cancer screening, and to complying with comprehensive standards based on best practices developed by professional bodies such as the American College of Radiology (ACR), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) for controlling screening quality, radiation dose and diagnostic procedures within an experienced, multi-disciplinary clinical setting.