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Screening & Diagnosis

Screening

While cancer is an elusive disease, what we know for sure is that early detection through screening saves lives.

Lung Cancer Screening Program

Early detection of lung cancer through screening has been shown to improve survival rates by 15 to 20 percent, according to the National Lung Screening Trial, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.

Holy Cross Health offers a lung cancer screening program with a nurse navigator for at-risk patients (smokers and ex-smokers) who meet the recommended criteria for lung cancer screening. This simple yet effective screening provides a low-dose CT scan (type of X-ray) which takes less than 1-minute. The imaging scan can show tiny spots on the lungs, called nodules, years before they would ever be seen on a chest X-ray. These spots could be the signs of early lung cancer.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Age 55 to 77 years
  • Shows no signs or symptoms of lung disease
  • Tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years
  • Currently smokes or quit within the past 15 years

International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP)

Holy Cross Hospital also participates in the free International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP), a research study looking at the role of low-dose CT in the detection of nodules that may be cancer.

  • Eligibility for the I-ELCAP program includes:
  • At least 40 years of age
  • Have not undergone a chest CT in the past three years
  • Are current smokers or former smokers
  • Have a personal physician to follow up on the screening results

Why Get Screened at Holy Cross Hospital?

Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring is the only hospital in the Washington, DC metropolitan area to participate in the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program and has done so since 2004. Holy Cross Hospital has been enrolling participants in this research study for the past decade.

Participants who undergo lung cancer screening at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring will have convenient access to lung care services and other resources to help reduce the risk of lung cancer and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

What to Expect at Your Lung Cancer Screening

Your lung cancer screening appointment should only take about an hour. A low-dose, non-invasive form of CT scan limits the radiation exposure to participants and produces high-resolution images. This test does not require drinking contrast fluid or intravenous injection.

Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening can request an appointment using our online form or call 301-754-7695.

Lung Nodule Review Program

As the use of CT imaging has increased, detection of small lung nodules has become routine, even if screening for lung cancer wasn’t the initial purpose of the scan. Holy Cross Health is addressing nodules discovered in this incidental way through our Lung Nodule Review Program.

At no cost, a committee of physician specialists including radiology, pulmonary medicine, and thoracic surgeons review nodules of inpatients and outpatients — or by physician and patient request — and makes a recommendation for follow-up care, guided by best practices. While most nodules in the lungs prove to be benign, it is important to follow them carefully, as some do represent early-stage cancer in someone who is not experiencing symptoms.

The lung nodule review committee may propose:

  • No further evaluation or follow up
  • Ongoing CT surveillance to assess and track the nodules
  • Diagnostic evaluation and/or biopsy

To participate, or to refer a patient to our Lung Nodule Review Program for further CT scan review, please call 855-HCH-HOPE (424-4673).

Diagnosis

Holy Cross Health is an early adopter of advanced technologies for lung cancer diagnosis and the only health system in Montgomery County that offers both endobronchial ultrasound and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy for early detection of lung nodules. We’re on the cutting-edge of advanced diagnostics to provide patients with the best chances for earlier detection, treatment, and recovery.

Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB): Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital are the first hospitals in Montgomery County to offer Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB), an advanced, minimally invasive procedure that allows physicians to locate hard-to-reach small lung lesions for biopsy and possible treatment. 

Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS): EBUS is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that allows physicians to obtain tissue samples of lung masses and lymph nodes using ultrasound guidance during transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA). 

Diagnostic Imaging: Holy Cross Health's advanced diagnostic imaging services include CT screening, PET scan and CT/PET fused imaging.

For more information about Holy Cross Health's lung cancer services, call 855-HCH-HOPE.