Lung Cancer Screening Introduced at ColumbiaDoctors Tarrytown

Tarrytown, New York – Columbia University Medical Center has announced the introduction of its new Lung Cancer Screening Program at the ColumbiaDoctors Tarrytown Radiology facility. The program will focus on early detection of lung cancer for high-risk patients.

At the center of this program is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure, called a Low-Dose CT Scan, that allows for a detailed examination of the lungs for any indication of disease. The scan is short, painless, requires no preparation, and and involves exposure to very little radiation, a fraction of what is commonly associated with a typical CT scan. Recent studies have shown that the use of this procedure is effective, safe, and potentially lifesaving.

“Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, and Low-Dose CT screening has been the only proven method to detect lung cancer at an early and treatable stage,” says Dr. Akash Shah, a radiologist with ColumbiaDoctors and a member of the supporting staff for the new program. “We are excited to join this game-changing effort against lung cancer to help patients in our local community who are at the highest risk.”

Candidates for the screening program should be current or former smokers who have quit within the last 15 years, between 55 and 79 years old, with a history of 30 pack years or more (pack years are determined by the number of packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years as a smoker.) Candidates must also be symptom-free.

The program also offers access to smoking-cessation programs and resources, helping patients to improve their health and lower their risk of illness. Says Dr. Shah, “We hope to offer patients a simple and positive experience during their visit to Tarrytown, addressing their concerns about the test, discussing smoking cessation, and reviewing their results and options for follow-up testing if necessary. “

This new procedure continues the recent expansion of cutting-edge services provided by ColumbiaDoctors Tarrytown Radiology – which opened in April 2016 – with the goal of providing comprehensive radiological care outside of a hospital environment and reducing travel for some patients.

In recent months, new diagnostic exams for brain tumors, liver disease, and cardiac disease have been added to the facility’s capabilities, along with minimally invasive procedures – such as treatments for varicose veins and symptomatic fibroid uterus – and a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic treatment options for certain cancers. All of these procedures (and others) are performed in a comfortable outpatient environment with the same physicians who work at the main medical center in New York City, offering new and convenient options for the local community.