Take advantage of free life-saving lung cancer screening for veterans

Doctor looks at chest x-ray in her office. Getty Images stock photo (Kim Norris, LCFA President) – Veterans who have selflessly served our country face a higher risk of developing lung cancer because of their exposure to environmental hazards such as asbestos and burn pits during their time in service and combat zones. Also, many Veterans enter occupations with a higher risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials when they leave the military.& Fortunately, the Veterans Administration Health System, Medicare, and most private insurance companies now pay for annual lung cancer screening. Early detection and improved access to advanced diagnostic tools and treatments are essential to saving more Veterans’ lives. If caught early, the 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is approximately 60%, according to Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA). Jim Pantelas is one of those warriors, and he has been living with lung cancer for 18 years. He says that lung cancer screening is one of the easiest screenings you can get. “It’s a whole lot easier than an endoscopy or colon cancer screening. It takes less than two minutes, and you’re done. It’s probably the least invasive of the screenings that I’m aware of.” To call...