Lung Cancer Screening
About the program at Adventist Health Simi Valley
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, resulting in more than 150,000 deaths each year in the United States — a figure greater than the mortality rates of breast, prostate and colon cancer combined.1
Lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been clinically proven to reduce lung cancer deaths in individuals at high risk for lung cancer.2
LDCT lung screening is quick and easy and results in a minimal amount of radiation exposure. Adventist Health Simi Valley is determined to raise awareness and improve access to this testing for all people at high risk. Therefore, we are currently offering LDCT lung screening to individuals who meet the established high-risk criteria.
FAQs
What is CT screening?
Computerized tomography (CT) screening uses special X-ray technology to obtain image data from different angles around the body and then uses computer processing for the information to show a cross-section of body tissues and organs.
What is the goal of LDCT lung screening?
The goal of LDCT lung screening is to save lives. Without LDCT lung screening, lung cancer is usually not found until a person develops symptoms. By that time, the cancer may be much harder to treat.
How effective is LDCT lung screening at preventing death from lung cancer?
Studies have shown that LDCT lung screening can lower the risk of death from lung cancer by 20 percent in people who are at high risk.2
How is the exam performed?
LDCT lung screening is one of the easiest screening exams you can have. The exam takes less than 10 seconds. No medications are given and no needles are used. You can eat before and after the exam. You do not even need to get changed as long as the clothing on your chest does not contain metal. You must, however, be able to hold your breath for at least six seconds while the chest scan is being taken.
What if I don’t qualify under the criteria for a LDCT, or my insurance does not cover it?
Adventist Health Simi Valley offers a cash price for at-risk patients who don’t meet LDCT requirements. If you are interested in this offer, please consult with your doctor to see if LDCT is right for you.
Qualification criteria
You do not need to be an Adventist Health Simi Valley patient to receive a LDCT lung screening. LDCT lung screening is recommended for groups of people who are at high risk for lung cancer, and you may qualify for this screening if you meet specific criteria.
Criteria for a LDCT lung screening:
- You are between 55 and 77 years old
- You have no history of a lung cancer diagnosis
- You are currently a smoker or have quit within the past 15 years
- You have smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for 30-plus years, or
- Two packs a day for 15-plus years
How to schedule
For LDCT lung cancer screening, we are expecting primary care physicians and pulmonologists to be the referring physicians. For program information from the hospital side of things, patients should call Tess Fowler, (805) 955-6362, at the Aspen Center, who handles patient information responsibilities and who can answer questions about the program.
Steps for a patient to receive a lung screening
If you are a Medicare patient:
- Patient makes an appointment with their primary care physician or pulmonologist
- Physician has lung cancer consult with patient in their office
- Physician writes an order for a low-dose lung screening
- Patient schedules appointment by calling (805) 955-6122
- Patient visits Wood Ranch or Aspen Center on appointment date and time
For non-Medicare patients:
- Make appointment with primary care physician or pulmonologist
- Physician writes an order for a low-dose lung screening
- Patient schedules appointment by calling (805) 955-6122
- Patient visits Wood Ranch or Aspen Center on appointment date and time
We recommend these physicians for referrals to the program:
- Dr. Ashim Arora
- Dr. Margaret Cheadle
- Dr. Bryan Davidson
- Dr. Jerry Davidson
- Dr. Royal Dean
- Dr. George Dichter
- Dr. John Dingilian
- Dr. Gurdip Flora
- Dr. Daniel Ghiyam
- Dr. Rabina Gill
- Dr. Vijay Kumar
- Dr. Jonathan Kurohara
- Dr. Masahiro Kushigemachi
- Dr. Mojgan Makhsoosi
- Dr. Dominic Muzsnai
- Dr. Bruce Nelson
- Dr. Duc Nguyen
- Dr. Alberto Odio
- Dr. Amanda Rosaasen
- Dr. Jonathan Rosaasen
- Dr. Mojgan Sadeghi
- Dr. Daniel Takeda
- Dr. David Yamada
- Dr. Abdol Memar Zia
You can choose from these locations for screenings:
Wood Ranch Imaging and Lab Services
125 Macaw Lane
Simi Valley, CA 93065
(805) 955-7040
Aspen Outpatient Center
2750 North Sycamore Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065
(805) 955-8128
Smoking cessation
If you do not smoke, do not start. If you are a smoker, we want to help you quit. Smoking is a large contributor to heart disease. Quitting smoking can be hard, and you may have even tried to quit in the past. Luckily, there are many resources available to help you reach your goal, and Adventist Health Simi Valley is here to help you quit.
Smoking cessation resources
California Smokers Helpline: Call (800) NOBUTTS for their free telephone programs.
American Lung Association: Call (800) LUNGUSA for their free online smoking cessation program, or visit them online at www.lung.org/stop-smoking/.
Ventura County “Call It Quits”: Call (805) 201-7867 for free assistance or visit callitquites@ventura.org.
For Los Angeles, California: Call (213) 384-5864 for local smoking cessation support.
For low-income smokers: Call the Free Clinic of Simi Valley at (805) 522-3733 to inquire about smoking cessation classes.
Additional resources
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
American Lung Association
www.lung.org
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
www.nccn.org
1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2014. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2014.
2 The National Lung Screening Trial Research Team. Reduced lung cancer mortality with low-dose computed tomographic screening. N Engl J Med. 2011; 365:395-409.