Cedars-Sinai Cancer is taking on the country’s leading cause of cancer-related death with a new Lung Cancer Screening Program to reach more patients, simplify the screening process and provide fast access to follow-up care.

More than 20% of lung cancer deaths could be prevented through early detection, yet California’s lung cancer screening rates are only 1%, the worst in the nation, according to a November report from the American Lung Association. The stigma associated with screening is partly responsible, said Dr. Sara Ghandehari, director of the Centralized Lung Cancer Screening Program at Cedars-Sinai.

“To be screened, an individual has to share their history of tobacco use, and many people, especially if they used to smoke, don’t want to mention it,” Ghandehari said. “It’s really important that patients share their tobacco use history, even if it’s in the past, because it will help us decide whether or not screening is appropriate for them. Being upfront with their care team may ultimately save their life.”

The streamlined screening process at Cedars-Sinai aims to ease the minds of patients. The first step is referral by the patient’s primary care provider. Then, a nurse practitioner conducts a virtual or in-person visit to determine whether the patient meets the criteria for lung cancer screening, which include individuals ages 50-80 who currently smoke or have a history of smoking, and have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer.

“During this visit, a nurse practitioner also evaluates the patient’s family history and any environmental or occupational exposures that increase the risk for lung cancer,” Ghandehari said. “The nurse practitioner discusses the risks and benefits of lung cancer screening and what the test might detect.”

If the patient qualifies for screening, the nurse practitioner obtains insurance authorization, orders the test and the patient receives a call to schedule the screening. The test itself is a low-dose CT scan that is completely noninvasive, involves minimal radiation exposure and takes less than five minutes to perform. Results are usually ready within three to five days, and the screening team reviews the findings before the patient’s follow-up visit and coordinates with a patient’s primary care provider.

“If there is a small lung nodule, an abnormal growth that is rarely cancerous, we will share a recommendation from the radiologist with the patient,” Ghandehari said. “If it’s something larger or more concerning, we will review the findings with a group that includes radiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists and surgeons, so that when the patient learns the results of the CT scan, they also know what the next step is. They don’t have to wait for weeks to get the opinion of a specialist.”

Clinician sharing results with patients can also discuss any additional findings.

“There are lots of things that can be spotted with a low-dose CT scan,” Ghandehari said. “So if we find something on the thyroid, low bone density, calcium in the vessels of the heart or something else, we share that information with the patient and their primary care provider for follow-up.”

For information, visit cedars-sinai.org.