ROCKPORT and BELFAST— In support of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals will extend availability for CT lung cancer screening appointments as part of National Lung Cancer Screening Day on Saturday, Nov. 8.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Despite these statistics, currently less than 1 in 10 eligible individuals undergo lung cancer screening.

“Lung cancer screening uses a special kind of scan called a low-dose CT or LDCT to take detailed pictures of your lungs, quick and painless!” said Letitia Stover, RN, lung screening program nurse navigator for the two hospitals. “It allows us to look for any early signs of lung cancer, before you have any symptoms. We know if we can find cancer at an earlier stage, it is more likely to be able to be treated successfully.”

Yearly LDCT’s are recommended for individuals who are deemed high risk for developing lung cancer; currently this includes those who are 50 to 80 years old, who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years, and have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking. (A 20 pack-year history would be smoking one pack per day for 20 years, or a half-pack per day for 40 years, etc.) Individuals are encouraged to talk with their doctors to determine whether lung screening is right for them.

“Our goal with participating in National Lung Cancer Screening Day is to help raise awareness about the importance of this quick, effective, potentially lifesaving screening and increase access for those who maybe can’t take time off from work during the week to have a screening done,” Stover said, noting that while these screenings are offered year-round at both hospitals, additional appointments will be available on Nov. 8.

Appointments will be offered at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital, located at 6 Glen Cove Drive in Rockport, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., and at MaineHealth Waldo Hospital, located at 118 Northport Ave. in Belfast, between 8 a.m. and noon.

A referral from your provider is required to obtain an appointment. Please call Lung Screening at 505-4712 for additional information.

For more information about lung cancer screening, visit mainehealth.org/lungcancer.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.