RadNet launches free lung cancer screening program for firefighters
RadNet Inc. is launching a free lung cancer screening program for firefighters in its home city.
The Los Angeles-based imaging center operator announced Tuesday it’s seeking to aid first responders who served during last year’s Palisades Fire, which killed a dozen people and destroyed nearly 7,000 structures.
RadNet created the program to recognize the “extraordinary courage, dedication and selfless service demonstrated” during the disaster. L.A. firefighters faced prolonged exposure to smoke, carcinogens and other hazardous materials while protecting Southern California, the company said.
"Firefighters dedicate their lives to protecting others, often at great personal risk," Norman Hames, RadNet’s president and CEO for Western Operations, said in a statement July 21. "This program is our way of expressing our gratitude by providing access to an important preventive health service that has the potential to detect lung cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage."
During the program’s three-week soft launch in June, over 200 firefighters received free screenings. RadNet said it expects to provide imaging for up to 2,000 Los Angeles firefighters as the effort expands. These first responders routinely encounter toxic smoke, diesel exhaust, asbestos, heavy metals and other hazardous substances in their work. This can place them at greater risk for lung disease and certain cancers, with low-dose CT able to detect problems before symptoms appear.
RadNet said that each exam will be interpreted by fellowship-trained radiologists with expertise in pulmonary imaging. Firefighters whose exams require additional evaluation will receive personalized guidance on appropriate next steps and recommendations for follow-up care, RadNet noted.
"Lung cancer screening has the potential to save lives because it can identify cancer before symptoms develop," added Dalia Artal, MD, medical director of chest imaging and lung cancer screening, RadNet West. "By making these screenings easily accessible, we hope to provide firefighters with valuable information about their lung health and, when necessary, connect them with appropriate follow-up care as early as possible."
RadNet, which operates 440 imaging centers across 11 states, held a press conference on Tuesday at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center in Los Angeles to announce the new program.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.