Lung Screening Clinic

About the Lung Screening Clinic at UCLA

Lung Screening Clinic Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center 200 Medical Plaza, Suite #120 Los Angeles, CA 90095

Patients and Physicians For information or referral (310) 794-7333

Website lungcancer.ucla.edu

What is the Lung Screening Clinic?

	Print Clinic Brochure (PDF)

The Lung Cancer Screening Clinic is an integral part of the UCLA Lung Cancer Program to screen patients at high risk for lung cancer and to provide regular follow-up of patients with lung nodules or lung spots.

Since the advent of high-resolution chest CT scans, we are able to detect lung cancer earlier and find small lung nodules. The Clinic offers a sophisticated program to monitor lung nodules with high quality imaging and low radiation exposure.

Who is a candidate for the Lung Screening Clinic?

 Ideal patients for the Clinic:

• High risk for lung cancer
• Previous history of lung cancer
• Current and former smoking history
• Second hand smoke exposure
• Asbestos exposure
• Lung nodule / spot found on chest x-ray or CT scan

These candidates will be followed with a screening chest CT scan that is one-half to one-fifth the radiation exposure used for typical CT procedures.

Why does UCLA offer a Lung Screening Clinic?

Early detection of lung cancer will initiate prompt management and treatment, which may improve your survival. Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in both men and women. More people die from lung cancer than prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer combined.

• Over 160,000 people die from lung cancer in the U.S. each year
• Over 13,000 of these deaths occur in California

Lung cancer is second most common malignancy in men and women.

• There are over 200,000 new cases of lung cancer per year in the U.S.
• Nearly 18,000 of these new cases are in California.

Lung cancer has a poor prognosis when it is detected in advanced stages.

• Five-year survival rate for all lung cancers combined is 16%.

The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is consistently ranked among the top medical centers in the nation

What are the benefits of the Lung Screening Clinic?

	NLST Trial Results (PDF)

• Surveillance of high risk patients to detect lung cancer early
• Organized imaging program to follow patients with lung nodules
• Prevent unnecessary surgery of lung nodules
• Initial evaluation by a UCLA Thoracic Surgeon and Nurse Practitioner
• Regular follow-up with a Thoracic Nurse Practitioner
• Expert interpretation of CT scans by dedicated Thoracic Radiologists
• Quick access for patients to receive care at UCLA
• Efficient communication with patients and referring physicians
• Reduce anxiety by regular monitoring of lung lesions / nodules

Who manages the Lung Screening Clinic?

Jay M. Lee, MD, Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery at UCLA, oversees the clinic. Dr. Lee and his colleagues with a Nurse Practitioner will provide the first consultation in clinic. After a surveillance plan is determined, patients will be seen regularly by Brian Barnes, NP, a Nurse Practitioner specialized in Thoracic Surgery with numerous years of experience. Robert Suh, MD, is a Thoracic Radiologist with vast experience in Interventional Radiology. Dr. Suh and other dedicated chest radiologists will provide expertise in the conduct and interpretation of the CT scans.

Risks of CT Scans

CT Scans FDA (PDF)	CT Full-Body Scans FDA (PDF)