Moffitt Hosts Florida’s First-Ever Mobile Lung Screening Event
William and Elaine Carrasco of Weeki Wachee were among the first Floridians to get screened for lung cancer inside of Moffitt's new mobile screening unit.
Moffitt Cancer Center hosted its first-ever mobile lung screening event in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County. Nine people received low-dose CT scans to check for suspicious nodules in their lungs.
William and Elaine Carrasco from Weeki Wachee decided to get screened after seeing a local news segment about the event.
“We thought, ‘We should do this,’” said Elaine, 72. “As former smokers we were a little apprehensive about coming because we were worried they might find something, but now that it’s done we’re glad we did.”
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual screening for adults age 50 and older who have smoked a pack a day for the past 20 years or two packs a day for the past 10 years and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
Less than 3% of eligible Floridians underwent lung cancer screenings in 2023. If everyone in the United States who is eligible was screened, it could save an estimated 60,000 lives per year. Like many others, Elaine said her primary care physician never recommended the screenings.
🫁🚌 Moffitt's Ferman Family Mobile Lung Screening Unit hit the road this morning, headed to Pasco County for the first screening event in Hudson, Florida.
— Dr. Patrick Hwu (@PatrickHwuMD) November 14, 2024
➡️ If everyone eligible to undergo lung #cancer screening was screened, we could save 60,000 lives per year. The painless… pic.twitter.com/d6H85JKfOT
“I just thought if they listened to my lungs that would be enough,” she said. “A lot of times they can listen but still may not know.”
“That’s the key. Early detection,” said William, 73.
According to Lary Robinson, MD, director of Moffitt’s Lung Cancer Early Detection Center, for every 100 screening chest CT scans performed on people at risk, nearly two lung cancers are found and 80% of the new lung cancers are early stage with the best chance for cure.
Lary Robinson, MD
“The only proven way to find lung cancer early is by low dose screening chest CT scans,” Robinson said. “Increasing the access for eligible patients through our new mobile screening program will likely find lung cancer earlier when it is the most curable.”
For the people screened at the event, their imaging results should be available within five days. Moffitt will call to discuss their results. If there are suspicious nodules, they will be scheduled for further evaluation.
If their results are clean, they should follow the recommended screening guidelines and undergo a low dose CT scan annually.
For anyone who is eligible for screening but may be on the fence, Elaine offers a simple piece of advice.
“I would suggest having it done,” Elaine said. “It’s five minutes in and out. What do you have to lose? Except if you wait too long, maybe your life.”
