British Columbia has launched the country’s first provincewide lung cancer screening program for residents who are at high risk of getting the disease.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the innovative program will both save lives and improve their quality.
Screening will be available at 36 centres across all health authorities using existing CT scans for those who are between 55 and 74, currently smoking or have previously smoked, and have a smoking history of 20 years or more.
People who meet that criteria are encouraged to call the program for a consultation and risk assessment to determine eligibility.
Dr. Stephen Lam, medical director of the screening program, says lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Canada and worldwide….