New lung screening program for Nova Scotia

A new screening program in Nova Scotia aims to save lives by preventing lung cancer and finding it earlier.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the province. Every year, about 1,000 Nova Scotians are diagnosed and 700 die of the disease.

Those aged 50 to 74 who have smoked daily for 20 years or more can contact the program to have a nurse assess their risk of lung cancer and whether they would benefit from a chest CT scan.

Information about lung health and smoking cessation are also provided.

In a release, Senior Medical Director of the Nova Scotia Health Cancer Care Program, Dr. Helmut Hollenhorst, says, “Many people are diagnosed at a late stage when treatments improve quality of life and give people more time, but lung cancer at this point is not curable.

Hollenhorst says this new program “will help change the face of lung cancer in this province and transform the conversation from lung cancer to lung health.”

The program is available in the HRM and West Hants by calling 1-833-505-LUNG (5864). It will be rolled out across the province over the next couple of years.