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American Cancer Society Expert Calls for Expanded Lung Cancer Screening Coverage under Medicare
April 30, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. April 30, 2014 American Cancer Society Chief Cancer Control Officer Richard Wender, M.D., testified at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) meeting today encouraging the agency to include Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) scans for lung cancer screening among Medicare 's covered services for high risk-groups. The LDCT scan is the only acceptable early detection tool for lung cancer currently available, and evidence shows LDCT screening is associated with reduced risk of dying from lung cancer for high-risk individuals. In addition to oral testimony, the Society and the American Lung Association submitted joint written recommendations to CMS. The letter stated, Our organizations strongly support access to lung cancer screening for all Medicare patients for whom it is appropriate, in order to lead to earlier diagnoses of lung cancer and reduced lung cancer mortality as demonstrated in the National Lung Screening Trial. The Society recommends that health care professionals with access to high-volume, high-quality lung cancer screening and treatment centers should have a discussion about lung cancer screening and tobacco cessation with patients aged 55 to 74 years who have at least a 30-pack-year smoking history, currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years and who are in relatively good health. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Lauren Walens or Steven Weiss American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: (202) 661-5763 or (202) 661-5711 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] #acscan #cancer #lungcancer #MEDCAC
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