Nova Scotia’s lung screening program finds dozens of cancer cases in first 2 years
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Nova Scotia’s lung screening program is still in its infancy, but those leading the effort say they’ve already been able to deliver life-changing, positive news to dozens of people who might have received a terminal diagnosis under other circumstances.
“We’re seeing a bigger impact and we’re getting more referrals on early-stage or stage 1 lung cancer, where we can essentially cure the disease and improve patient outcomes,” said Dr. Alison Wallace, a thoracic surgeon who operates on lung cancer patients.
“Being able to offer surgeries and treatments to patients provides hope in this devastating disease.”
Lung cancer is often called the silent killer because its symptoms do not appear until the disease reaches its final stages. About 80 percent of people with end-stage disease die within five years of diagnosis.
Nova Scotia’s screening program aims to curb that.
it Launched two years ago after more than a decade of advocacy By Dr. Daria Manos, a radiologist who now leads the program.
It is specifically designed for people aged 50 to 74 who have smoked daily for at least 20 years, even if they have quit.
Patients are examined by nurses, who send those at highest risk of lung cancer for a CT scan of their lungs.
So far, 1,500 people have received those scans. Of those, 55 have been diagnosed with cancer or are in the process of confirming the diagnosis.
But what is becoming more common is that radiologists are finding small spots of Stage 1 cancer – which is often curable – rather than the late stages of the disease.
“It’s been an incredible success,” Manos said.
Thoracic surgeons are now able to remove scars in a matter of hours in complex cases of the disease, rather than spending a whole day operating, he said.
“We have the science that shows this is the right thing to do. But on an emotional level, it’s also very rewarding to do this. It’s very rewarding to use the science we know about it and actually apply it to Nova Scotia.”
expansion is coming
Lung testing is currently available in Nova Scotia’s central and eastern health regions, but Manos said they will be rolling it out to the rest of the province in the coming months.
Preparing for the expansion has been a complex endeavor, he said. She has now trained 15 radiologists on her own time outside of their regular jobs. Clerks and nurses have also been trained on this process.
“There are a lot of people who are very enthusiastic, but it takes time. The other big hurdle that we’ve faced is just the IT infrastructure to make sure that we can properly monitor these patients and follow them properly.”
While only half the participants receive scans, all are offered some form of support to help them quit smoking. Some people receive counseling, while others may receive free smoking cessation products.
A 2022 survey from Health Canada showed that about 12 per cent of Nova Scotians smoke, slightly higher than the national average of 10 per cent.
But the smoking rate among teenagers in the province is 10.7 per cent, more than double the national average of 4.2.
Lung NSPEI President and CEO Robert MacDonald sits on the steering committee for the screening program. He said it was necessary to include supports to help more Nova Scotians leave their jobs.
“Lungs and respiration in the past have always been secondary in the sense that there is a stigma that is attached to the fact that you have lung disease. Automatically people go to the fact that you smoked because you made yourself do that,” Macdonald said.
“I’ve seen in recent years that the government of the day and the Department of Health and Welfare have really stepped up some of the programs that are available in terms of respiratory. That’s probably the key program. It’s very important to maintain that.”
Manos is working directly with community organizations such as the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), the Health Association of African Canadians and Tajikimik, an Indigenous health organization, to help inform people about the program.
He said many of those who enter the program will be monitored for years, in hopes that there will be a quick turnaround in their health.
“We know there’s a lot of work to do. That’s where we really want to get the word out. We’re trying to make the program accessible to as many Nova Scotians as possible.”
Dozens of cases were found in the first two years of the program. CBC’s Caroline has the story.
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