John Muir Starts Lung Cancer Protocol

John Muir Health has decided to implement a rare preventative care protocol for potential cases of lung cancer in the hope of catching the often deadly disease earlier in its development.

Muir, a two-hospital system based in the East Bay community of Walnut Creek, will standardize low dose CT scans for patients between the ages of 55 and 80 who either smoke or a had a past of smoking.

That particular cohort is considered at high risk for developing lung cancer, the most deadly form of the disease in the United States. More than 150,000 Americans die from that form of the disease, primarily because it only becomes symptomatic when it is in its advanced stage. More than 90% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at stage three or later. Five-year survival rates average about 15%.

X-rays can detect lung cancer, but CT scans have been known to detect it earlier. An international clinical trial John Muir participated in concluded CT scans reduced the mortality rate of lung cancer victims by 20% versus those who undergo x-rays.

“Screening those at high risk now will dramatically make a difference and will open the door to much faster advances in research on all stages of lung cancer,” said said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, chief executive officer of the non-profit Lung Cancer Alliance.

Officials with the hospital called the decision to implement the protocol a “sea change” in the detection and treatment of lung cancer.

“Our longstanding involvement in the study puts us ahead of the curve in being able to deliver a high level of patient care through our development, refinement, and interpretation of screening chest CT examinations,” said Sunil Gandhi, M.D.,  the lead radiologist on the lung cancer screening study for John Muir.

The screenings will be covered by commercial insurance as preventative care under the Affordable Care Act starting in 2014, John Muir officials said.