(607NewsNow) — In 2022, lung cancer was responsible for nearly 12.4% of all cancers and caused an estimated 1.8 million deaths globally. The World Health Organization links 85% of all lung cancer cases to smoking, with other major risk factors including unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, air pollution, and certain chronic infections.

Lung cancer is highly metastatic, meaning it is likely to spread to other parts of the body. Once the cancer has spread, it becomes much more difficult to control and cure, making early detection crucial.

Seemingly minimal symptoms like cough or shortness of breath are often seen as a side effect of smoking regularly. While smoke inhalation can irritate the lungs, leading to things like chronic cough or asthma, these symptoms could be a warning sign that should not be ignored.

“We can screen symptomatic patients with a low-dose CT of the chest. When lung cancer spreads outside of the chest, the chance of curing it is near zero. So, catching lung cancer early is really the goal,” says Michelle Malnoske, MD, Pulmonologist at Arnot Health, a member of Centralus Health.

People who qualify for lung cancer screening include those who are currently smoking or those who have quit within the last 15 years. They need to be between 50 and 80 years old, and they need to have a 20-pack-year smoking history.

Schuyler and Chemung counties have two of the highest incidence rates of lung cancer in New York State, coming in at 51.7% and 52.6%, respectively. Additionally, Tioga and Chemung counties have two of the highest smoking rates in New York State, both of which are above 21%. Some occupations, like construction, maintenance, and manufacturing, require people to work with hazardous materials that can also lead to lung cancer and complications.

“All these factors just add to the risk that’s already prevalent in our area. That’s why we tend to see a higher rate of lung cancer than other areas across the state,” Dr. Malnoske says.

Arnot Health and Cayuga Health, members of Centralus Health, offer free low-dose lung cancer screenings to eligible patients.

“Our pulmonary departments are very dedicated and invested in trying to increase awareness in lung cancer screening. We have a thoracic surgeon who is able to perform surgery on patients with early lung cancer and resect the cancer to help cure patients of this terrible disease.”

Most major insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover the cost of the screening for patients who meet the criteria. To find out if you are eligible for a screening or to make an appointment with Arnot Health, click here. To request an appointment with Cayuga Health, click here.

Arnot Health offers pulmonary diagnostic services at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, 600 Roe Avenue, Elmira and Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital, 7571 NY-54, Bath.

Cayuga Health offers pulmonary services at Cayuga Medical Center, 201 Dates Drive, Suite 301, Ithaca; Schuyler Hospital, 220 Steuben Street, Montour Falls; 260 Tompkins Street, Cortland.