Mobile Lung CT coach to visit YMCA Monday

CHATTANOOGA ? CHI Memorial's mobile lung CT coach will provide computerized tomography screenings at area YMCA locations the week of April 23.

The mobile will be in Cleveland Monday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Cleveland Family YMCA, 220 U rbane Road N.E..

Lung cancer screening is a test to look for signs of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people. The low-dose CT scan shows a 3-D image of your lungs that is clearer and more detailed than regular X-rays, allowing doctors to diagnose lung cancer at its earliest stage, before there are any symptoms. This is when lung cancer is most curable. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes and there is no need to do anything special to prepare for the screening.

The low-dose CT lung cancer scan has been shown to improve survival by 20 percent according to The National Lung Screening Trial by the National Cancer Institute.

Factors that put you at high risk of developing lung cancer include:

? Age 50 or greater

? Smoking history

? Family history of cancer

? Exposure to cancer causing agents (asbestos, diesel fumes, Radon, coal smoke, soot, etc.)

If you believe you are at risk of having lung cancer, don't wait, call us at 423-495-LUNG (5864) to schedule your appointment. Walk-up appointments will also be available at all the YMCA locations.

Private insurance companies cover lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals. Medicare and Medicaid also cover lung cancer screening. In order to receive a lung cancer screen, you must have a doctor's referral. If you feel that you are at risk, call your doctor and say you are interested in a low-dose CT scan. Together you can discuss your risk and decide if a lung screening is right for you.