Fort Lauderdale, Florida (PRWEB) January 28, 2014 -- New legislation under the Affordable Health Care Act guarantees full insurance coverage of annual lung cancer screenings for high-risk patients. North Broward Radiologists (NBR) is excited to announce current availability for high quality, effective lung cancer screening for these patients.
Patients included in the high risk population include individuals who have a 30 “pack year” history of cigarette smoking, or individuals who have a 20 “pack year” history of cigarette smoking as well as another risk factor, such as emphysema. (A pack-year is equal to smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for one year.) Previously, individuals in these high risk populations were not covered for annual lung cancer screenings.
“The Affordable Health Care Act brings an opportunity for individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer to take advantage of early screening techniques,” states Richard Spira, MD. “At North Broward Radiologists, we are uniquely positioned to offer the highest quality lung cancer screenings, due to our state of the art imaging techniques and board certified radiologists.”
North Broward Radiologists uses a cutting edge, low radiation dose, CT scanner to perform all lung cancer screenings. According to a 2011 study documented in the New England Journal of Medicine, lung cancer screenings performed with low dose CT scanners reduces the risk of death from lung cancer by an additional 20 percent, in comparison with lung cancer screenings performed with an annual chest X-ray.
“Mandated insurance coverage of lung cancer screenings for patients classified as ‘high risk’ has the potential to save thousands of lives nationwide,” states Dr. Spira. “Using the latest technology, we can now detect lung cancer at a very early stage, which will greatly increase survival rates of individuals afflicted with lung cancer.”
The lung cancer-screening program offered by North Broward Radiologists follows the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) model, and adheres to the strict protocols set by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) guidelines. The results of the NLST have proven the benefit of lung cancer screening in decreasing mortality for those at high risk for lung cancer.
With 30-years of chest imaging experience and state of the art, low-dose CT scanners, North Broward Radiologists is uniquely positioned to offer low dose lung cancer CT screening under the new health care law. For those without health insurance, North Broward Radiologists through Broward Health, offer low-dose lung CT screenings for $99. Click here for more information on how to schedule an appointment.
About North Broward Radiologists:
North Broward Radiologists is a highly experienced, highly specialized, Board-certified group of physician radiologists who are uniquely positioned to offer professional diagnostic imaging services in South Florida. Founded in 1969, North Broward Radiologists specializes in offering a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic, and interventional radiology procedures, as well as teleradiology interpretive services.
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