ELIZABETHTOWN – Bladen County Hospital has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology.

The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes hospitals and facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for patients who are at the highest rick for lung cancer.

Bladen County Hospital uses low-dose CT scans to help detect lung cancer at earlier stages, when patient treatment options are optimal. Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths.

Experts recommend annually screening people age 55 to 77 who have smoked one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years. The people do not have to show cancer symptoms and can otherwise be healthy. Adults who have quit smoking in the past 15 years are also urged to get low-dose CT screens.

For more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Center at Bladen County Hospital, please call 910-862-5100.