Great Plains Health Teams Up with Nebraska Cancer Coalition to Promote Life Saving Lung Cancer Screenings

Great Plains Health has joined the annual  statewide effort organized by the Nebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) to heighten  awareness of lifesaving lung cancer screening during November, Lung Cancer  Awareness month. 

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in Nebraska for both men and women. In 2024,  the American Cancer Society estimates 1,190 new cases and 700 deaths from lung  cancer in Nebraska. The stage of diagnosis strongly affects outcomes. The most recent  Nebraska data indicates that the 5-year relative survival rates for lung cancer are 63%  for early-stage diagnoses, while rates for later-stage cases fall to 35% for regional  diagnoses and 3% for distant diagnoses. The American Lung Association reported that  in 2023, only 3.7% of Nebraskans at high risk for lung cancer were screened. 

"When we detect cancer early in stage one or two, the treatment approach is completely  different," stated Dr. Molina, Pulmonologist at Great Plains Health. "Early detection in  the beginning stages significantly improves quality of life for our patients. Screening is  our best tool in this fight - it's always better to prevent or catch something early rather  than late in the game." 

Screening for lung cancer with a yearly low-dose CT scan for those at high risk can  reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20% by detecting tumors at early stages  when they are more likely to be curable according to the American Lung Association  

(ALA). Lung cancer screening is recommended by the CDC for people ages 50-80  years with a 20+ pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the  past 15 years. It is critical that we spread the word that in order to Breathe Easy,  Nebraskans should get screened for lung cancer.