Northern Illinois Lung Cancer Screening Project
Introduction
Mission Statement
Our mission is to reduce lung cancer deaths in Northern Illinois by increasing awareness and access to evidence-based, low-dose computed tomography screening (LDCT) for individuals at high risk, empowering our community to detect diseases early and establish effective treatment.
Risks of radon exposure and lung cancer
About eight million Americans are at high risk for lung cancer, but less than six percent will get screened using the best technology currently available, LDCT screening, a special type of CT scan that minimizes the amount of radiation used.
Early detection of lung cancer can increase survival by 85%. Identifying lung cancer in the early stages increases the survival of lung cancer patients, hence why LDCT screening may play an important role in mitigating the high death toll of lung cancer.
Northern Illinois counties such as Winnebago and Ogle have particularly high lung cancer mortality rates of 22% and 30%, respectively.
Encouraging at-risk people, such as chronic smokers and those in rural areas, to get LDCT can help the odds of detecting lung cancer in its earlier, more treatable stages.
Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT)
What you need to know
LDCT helps detects lung cancer even before people see signs and symptoms of the disease. LDCT screening can also show small abnormalities. Further testing may be needed to confirm if your results show lung cancer.
If you’re showing active signs and symptoms of lung cancer, including new and worsening cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing or unexpected weight loss, you should not get an LDCT screening. Talk to your provider about further tests.
How to schedule a screening
If you, or someone you know, falls into one of these categories, talk to your primary care physician and ask them about an LDCT screening. Most insurance companies and Medicare will cover the cost of LDCT lung cancer screenings without a co-pay.
Screenings can be obtained at Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, and UW Health Swedish American Hospital. If you do not have a health care provider, UI Health Mile Square Health Center-L.P. Johnson Rockford may have openings. They can be reached at at 815-972-1000.
By the numbers
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85 % Early detection of lung cancer can increase survival by 85%.
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8 million About eight million Americans are at high risk for lung cancer.
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6 % Less than six percent of Americans will get screened.
More information
In the news
Meet the head researcher
Neelu Puri, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, whose research focuses on biomarkers for the treatment and detection of lung cancer. She conducts research with students in the UICOMR Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology Program and with medical students.
Dr. Puri also works in the community by participating in outreach events, including Love Rockford, LifeScape Expo, Rockford Rivets events, and lectures to healthcare workers, among others.