MITCHELL- Residents of Mitchell and surrounding areas who are current or former smokers may have an opportunity to undergo potentially life-saving lung cancer screening next month. Indiana University Health is bringing its mobile lung screening unit to The Solutions Center, located at 1490 W. Main St., Mitchell, on Tuesday, May 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This mobile screening offers a convenient way for eligible individuals to get checked for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for Hoosiers. Importantly, lung cancer often doesn’t present any symptoms in its early stages, making proactive screening crucial.
Lung screening uses a low-dose CT scan, which takes 3D images of the lungs with a minimal amount of radiation. The procedure is noninvasive and does not require needles, a special diet, or a change of clothes.
Eligibility requirements for the lung screening include being between the ages of 50 and 77 and having a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years. A pack-year is calculated by multiplying the number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years the person smoked. Former smokers who have quit within the last 15 years may also be eligible. Â
Insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, covers the cost of the lung screening for those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Appointments are required for the mobile lung screening. Interested individuals are encouraged to schedule their appointment with the mobile lung screening team. They can be reached by phone at 317-962-LUNG (5864) or via email at lungscreening@iuhealth.org
The informational flyer includes a QR code that can be scanned for more details for those interested in learning more.
This initiative by Indiana University Health aims to increase the community’s early detection of lung cancer. It could potentially lead to better treatment outcomes and save lives. Eligible residents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity.
