Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Program

[03/16/20]   In view of the current COVID-19 situation, we will no longer be accepting new individuals into the Asbestos Exposed Worker Research Screening Program. This will reduce need for individuals to visit hospital facilities and free up resources for our radiology departments. We hope to re-start this program when the situation allows. Thank you for your understanding.

Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer

Only a few tickets left! Purchase them soon.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/unmasking-the-reality-of-lung-cancer-new-orleans-style-gala-tickets-67790490181?fbclid=IwAR2Cul3F3jz_vIeIxFc00moFQlDBsp6SwmiOpaEvauUZvAkloIYY8x0d6QM

Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer

We hope to see you all on February 21st in #Calgary at the Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer Gala at the Hellenic Community Centre. Grab your Eventbrite tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/unmasking-the-reality-of-lung-cancer-new-orleans-style-gala-tickets-67790490181?ref=eios ・・・
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Almost 50% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at stage 4, an incurable stage.This compares to 4.9% for breast cancer and 19.9% for colon cancer. Early diagnosis is critical to improved survivorship and access to screening is key. #lungcancer #earlydiagnosis .
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#Yyc #calgaryflames #yycnow #lungcancer #yycliving #yycevents #yycbuzz #calgaryalberta #yycmom #yycevent #yycrealtor #yycrealestate #yyclife #yycarts #yycrealestate #yycrealestatemarket #yycrenovations #yychome #yychomes #dailyhiveyyc #yycbeauty #yycphotographer #yycphotography #yycmodel #yycfood #yycfitness #yycfitfam #yycfit

[07/27/19]   If you are not on Twitter, you have been missing out on our #lungcancerscreening information feed - until now! Follow this on Facebook by following the Lung Cancer Screening Feed page!

[07/27/19]   If you don't use twitter you are missing out on our Lung Cancer Screening feed, at least until now...
You can see these posts on FB as well! Just follow the Lung Cancer Screening Feed to stay up to date on all things related to #lungcancerscreening !

Cancer Strategy - Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

New Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control released by @Canadianpartnershipagainstcancer : "Implement #lungcancerscreening programs across Canada"

bit.ly/2ETDUKR
#lcsm
#CDNCancerStrategy

partnershipagainstcancer.ca The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer has released the refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control – a 10-year roadmap to improve equity in the cancer system and to deliver world-class cancer care to all Canadians, while focusing on a sustainable healthcare system for the future.

Alberta Cancer Foundation

Bob Goudy feels blessed to be given an early diagnosis of lung cancer as a result of an unrelated medical emergency. He hopes his story encourages early detection practices in others. Learn more on our blog!
#albertacancer #lungcancer

Andrea Borondy Kitts on Twitter

RT @findlungcancer: an #awesome team. I’m so honored to be part of it - please join us #wclc2019 in Barcelona; it will be fabulous conference in a fabulous city @iaslc #lcsm @lcsmchat #hcldr @DrIanWeissman @DrewMoghanaki @CrisAlvaradoMD @BrendonStilesMD @lung_ca_screen @CancerGeek https://t.co/MgpiT7vaUF

twitter.com “an #awesome team. I’m so honored to be part of it - please join us #wclc2019 in Barcelona; it will be fabulous conference in a fabulous city @iaslc #lcsm @lcsmchat #hcldr @DrIanWeissman @DrewMoghanaki @CrisAlvaradoMD @BrendonStilesMD @lung_ca_screen @CancerGeek https://t.co/MgpiT7vaUF”

Drew Moghanaki on Twitter

RT @DrewMoghanaki: @LungDocDoug @stevecripe57 @JackWestMD Please make time to read this below. It provides an intellectual explanation for why so many people have been led to believe in the belief that it's okay to let lung cancers grow, and not screen. #lcsm https://t.co/HXk2PNQNRc https://t.co/LpAWMaoUvc

twitter.com “@LungDocDoug @stevecripe57 @JackWestMD Please make time to read this below. It provides an intellectual explanation for why so many people have been led to believe in the belief that it's okay to let lung cancers grow, and not screen. #lcsm https://t.co/HXk2PNQNRc”

Lung Cancer Screening Feed on Twitter

Accompanying editorial. Certainly in establishing programs, specific efforts will be needed to ensure most at risk who are more likely underserved can access! @accpchest #lcsm #lungscreening. Access to Lung Cancer Screening Programs in the United States https://t.co/6LbVpO01qH

twitter.com “Accompanying editorial. Certainly in establishing programs, specific efforts will be needed to ensure most at risk who are more likely underserved can access! @accpchest #lcsm #lungscreening. Access to Lung Cancer Screening Programs in the United States https://t.co/6LbVpO01qH”

Lung Cancer Screening Feed on Twitter

Study in this month @accpchest on geographical variability of access to #lungscreening. Areas with highest risk populations have fewest programs! But more access needed everywhere... #lcsm The Landscape of US Lung Cancer Screening Services https://t.co/bnTPfHFMpU

twitter.com “Study in this month @accpchest on geographical variability of access to #lungscreening. Areas with highest risk populations have fewest programs! But more access needed everywhere... #lcsm The Landscape of US Lung Cancer Screening Services https://t.co/bnTPfHFMpU”

Lung Cancer Screening Feed on Twitter

Another nice update on potential lung cancer early detection biomarkers - open access as well. #lcsm #lungscreening https://t.co/SUhLwRbk70

twitter.com “Another nice update on potential lung cancer early detection biomarkers - open access as well. #lcsm #lungscreening https://t.co/SUhLwRbk70”

Lung Cancer Screening Feed on Twitter

Agree assessing risk is key. PLCO risk calculators for non smokers and including asbestos never lead to a high enough rate that #lungcancercreening would seem reasonable. Radon very hard to quantify for individual. Need to look at germline mutations associated with lc? #lcsm https://t.co/oIr5hdvJng

twitter.com “Agree assessing risk is key. PLCO risk calculators for non smokers and including asbestos never lead to a high enough rate that #lungcancercreening would seem reasonable. Radon very hard to quantify for individual. Need to look at germline mutations associated with lc? #lcsm https://t.co/oIr5hdvJ...

Lung Cancer Screening Feed on Twitter

Don’t love the title but reasonable article on #lungcancerscreening in The Economist. Not open access unfortunately. #lcsm https://t.co/yzAA91F0K8

twitter.com “Don’t love the title but reasonable article on #lungcancerscreening in The Economist. Not open access unfortunately. #lcsm https://t.co/yzAA91F0K8”

Lung Cancer Screening Feed on Twitter

Just starting to look at these but seems like a great resource - ppt slides from recent ERS/EAPM lung cancer screening event. Looks like it was a great meeting! #lungscreening #lcsm https://t.co/Szidnl6Ctu

twitter.com “Just starting to look at these but seems like a great resource - ppt slides from recent ERS/EAPM lung cancer screening event. Looks like it was a great meeting! #lungscreening #lcsm https://t.co/Szidnl6Ctu”

runlabtrack | Give A Breath

Inaugural 5k run lung cancer awareness and fundraising event in Edmonton: Share / Participate / Donate!

https://www.runlabtrack.com/give-a-breath

runlabtrack.com Bringing the running community together. Personal running programs incorporating strength and mechanical movements. Inclusive club for all levels and abilities

Lung Cancer Screening Feed on Twitter

Congrats on launching this ambitious study! More info here: https://t.co/pZcAYVSthy #lungscreening #lcsm https://t.co/ETPzOYmeb2

twitter.com “Congrats on launching this ambitious study! More info here: https://t.co/pZcAYVSthy #lungscreening #lcsm https://t.co/ETPzOYmeb2”

Screening for Asbestos

ucalgary.ca

Supportive Training for Advocates on Research and Science (STARS) | International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

Interested in learning more about lung cancer and advocacy? Have a look at this program!

#iaslc #lcsm

https://www.iaslc.org/supportive-training-advocates-research-and-science-stars

iaslc.org What is STARS: STARS aims to train, develop and nurture lung cancer patient research advocates (PRAs) in the science and realities of lung cancer research. Our goal is to increase the number of PRAs equipped toprovide accurate scientific translation in their online or real-life lung cancer patient/c...

Lung Cancer Screening (@lung_ca_screen) | Twitter

New Twitter feed on lung cancer screening - have a look and follow!

https://twitter.com/lung_ca_screen

twitter.com The latest Tweets from Lung Cancer Screening (@lung_ca_screen). Feed managed by Dr. Alain Tremblay and aims to disseminate info and foster discussion on all things lung cancer screening. #lungcancerscreening #lungcancer. Calgary, Alberta

Coalition of crusaders works to change the narrative around lung cancer

Lets hope AHS and AH representatives will get the message that it is past time we start screening for lung cancer in Alberta!

ucalgary.ca Sign up to receive Breaking News bulletins from UToday, delivered to your inbox. Unsubscribe from Breaking News at any time.

NHS to screen for lung cancer in trucks in supermarket car parks

The world is investing in lung cancer screening - Alberta needs to get on board!

theguardian.com Health chiefs hope £70m spend will save lives in areas with high death rates from disease

Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer Mardi Gras Fundraising Gala

100% of funds raised will go to support research, doctors and the people affected.

Volunteer committee members are meeting once every 2 weeks from January 6th up to Friday, March 1st from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

For more information and reserve your early-bird tickets reduced from $150 to $125 until January 15th only, contact Diane Colton at [email protected] or call 403 801 5000.

Rescue Lung, Rescue Life

Game changing confirmatory evidence from the European NELSON CT Lung Screening trial that lung screening saves even more lives than previously thought just announced in Toronto!!

[09/25/18]   The long awaited result of the largest European Lung Cancer Screening Trial were released today in Toronto at the WCLC meeting. These confirm the findings of a 2011 US study (NLST) of a significant reduction in lung cancer mortality achieved through Low-dose CT screening of individuals at risk.

Canadian prevention guidelines (CTFPHC) have recommended this intervention since 2016, but as yet, no Canadian Province has had the will to proceed with a full scale program (Ontario is currently carrying out a pilot project).

The time to start lung cancer screening is now!

Please contact your MLA (http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home&rnumber=), Health Minister ([email protected]), AHS CEO ([email protected]), and Premier ([email protected]) and ask them why is Alberta not proceeding with an intervention which is proven to save lives from our deadliest cancer!

Please share!

Air Quality Advisories | Alberta Health Services

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/air.aspx

albertahealthservices.ca Air Quality Advisories for Alberta.

Doctor's diagnosis leads her to push harder for early lung cancer screening | CBC News

cbc.ca A Halifax radiologist was part of medical team advocating for early lung cancer screening. Then she discovered she had Stage 3 colon cancer.

P.E.I. lung cancer prevention coordinator will help with screening | The Journal Pioneer

PEI leading the way!

http://www.journalpioneer.com/community/None/pei-lung-cancer-prevention-coordinator-will-help-with-screening-200373/

journalpioneer.com A new lung cancer prevention coordinator will help P.E.I. develop its first-ever screening program while educating Islanders about how to prevent the disease. Lung cancer is one of the four most prominent cancer types in the province, claiming

The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT

CTV News HEADLINE: U of C researchers launch campaign to "evict radon" from Alberta; Published November 14, 2017 University of Calgary researchers are encouraging all Albertans to test Radon levels in their homes. Radon is a radioactive gas commonly occuring in Western Canada which can pose serious health risks with frequent exposure at high levels. Radon seeps up from the ground and can pass through porous materials, such as concrete foundations. [ 56 more words ]

http://poweredbybreathing.com/2017/11/15/what-were-reading-this-week-calgary-researchers-campaign-to-detect-and-mitigate-radon-exposure/

[11/22/17]   Unfortunately Alberta Health Services has made a decision not to proceed with a publicly funded lung cancer screening program at this time.

The Alberta Lung Cancer Screening research program is not affected by this decision and will continue as planned.

If you wish to comment on this, please send a note to the AHS executive committee through [email protected] (VP for Community Engagement and Communications) and copy [email protected] (AHS president and CEO) as well as our Health Minister Hoffman [email protected]

Thank you!

Researcher urges Alberta to fund lung cancer screening

calgaryherald.com The province should fund a type of lung cancer screening that’s proven more effective than other kinds of tests for the disease, a University of Calgary researcher said Wednesday.Studies cond…

Canadian researchers develop new model for early-stage lung cancer detection

ctvnews.ca Canadian researchers have developed a predictive model for detecting lung cancer in early stages when the disease has a greater potential to be curable.

[10/18/17]   Data published today from our cross-country screening study demonstrating effectiveness of using a risk prediction model to select participants for lung cancer screening!
http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanonc/PIIS1470-2045(17)30597-1.pdf

[09/12/17]   The time to start screening for lung cancer is now.

Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in both men and women in Canada, killing more of us than the next three most lethal cancers combined (breast, colon and prostate cancer). In Alberta alone, over 2,000 people will be diagnosed with this disease this year, the majority at an incurable stage. Despite the welcomed reduction in tobacco use in our society (85% of lung cancers are tobacco related), the annual number of new lung cancer cases in Alberta is predicted to double in the next 20 years. This is due to our aging population as well as overall population growth, with the majority of these cancers occurring in ex-smokers. Additional strategies are desperately needed to reduce the burden of illness associated with this disease. Low dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) screening for subjects at risk of developing lung cancer represents such a strategy. Screening can enable an earlier diagnosis when tumours are more likely to be at a more curable stage.

The medical community has known since 2011 that such screening can save lives, with the publication of a 50,000+ participant clinical trial demonstrating that 1 out of 5 lung cancer deaths could be averted in individuals screened. This is equivalent to more than a hundred lives saved in Alberta annually, with one death averted for every 200 individuals screened. In 2016, the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care, which is the Canadian authority on such matters, came out in support of organized LDCT screening for lung cancer. Similar guidelines exist for our neighbours to the south, where LDCT screening is now fully covered by Medicare as well as all private health insurers.

Any medical intervention can have downsides and this is no different for LDCT screening. Nevertheless these can best be mitigated as part of an organized screening program and informed decision making between individuals and their health care providers. More recent research done by our group and other Canadian colleagues has been successful in significantly improving the efficiency of screening and reducing some of these potential harmful aspects. In fact, through the voluntary participation of over 1,000 Albertans in lung cancer screening research over the past few years, we have developed significant expertise and skill locally, as well as refined processes to function optimally within our health care system, placing Alberta at the forefront of progress in this area. We hope that this knowledge can now be leveraged towards a publicly funded screening program as soon as possible.

We now have a better understanding of what such a program would cost, and this appears to be well within the accepted benchmark for funding health care interventions in Canada, often set at 50,000$ per quality-adjusted life-year saved (or QALY). In fact, a British Columbia Ministry of Health report suggests that the cost for a LDCT screening program could be as low as 1,556$ per QALY saved. As the cost for treatment of advanced lung cancer with effective but non-curative treatments not previously considered in these analyses sky-rockets, we anticipate that lung cancer screening is likely to become cost saving for the health care system. Treatment of early lung cancer is not only more effective, but also less expensive than treating advanced incurable disease.

Advocating for a group of individuals perceived to have brought harm upon themselves by smoking is an uphill battle. We know for example that lung cancer receives trivial amounts of research funding in comparison to other common cancers and health conditions. There are few survivors of the disease, and those that do are stigmatized so that advocacy and fundraising is curtailed. But society must share some of the responsibility for the consequences of this addiction to a legal product. Tobacco has in the past been heavily marketed to our population, and we still (through our governments) draw substantial revenues from its sale even today (approximately 1 billion dollars per year in Alberta alone, not considering federal taxes). In addition, while smoking remains an individual choice, despite regulations the majority of smokers are hooked before the age of maturity (average 16 years). More new lung cancers diagnosed today are in ex-smokers than in current smokers. Should we withhold an effective intervention for ex-smokers who have been able to successfully quit one of the most addictive substances around? A screening program also represents an ideal time to simultaneously offer smoking cessation interventions to those still actively smoking. A large number of common health conditions we face today are at least in part impacted by individual behaviors or habits. This is not a reason to shun interventions that may help these individuals, in particular for such a devastating disease as lung cancer.

Finally, as a society we cannot ignore the devastation the disease causes for our parents, grand-parents, sisters, brothers, spouses, children and other friends and loved ones just because it is caused by tobacco use.

We are all affected by this disease and without an investment in lung cancer screening today, the Alberta’s Cancer Plan’s vision that “By 2030, Alberta will be a place where most cancers are prevented, more cases of cancer are cured…” has no hope of being achieved. The time to start screening for lung cancer is now.

Dr. Alain Tremblay MDCM.
Dr. Tremblay is a respiratory medicine specialist and Professor of Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine in Calgary. [email protected]

Published in the Calgary Herald, September 2nd, 2017