Eligible people in and around Prince George are able to get a lung cancer screening.
Appointments will be held at the University Hospital of Northern B.C., where patients are put through a CT scanner, which can help find cancer in its early stages.
Northern Health Lung Screening Medical Lead Dr. Shyr Chui said lung cancer is still the leading cause of death compared to other cancers.
“It grows silently and you don’t know about it until it becomes quite large, then starts involving other parts of the chest, and that’s when you develop symptoms” said Dr. Chui.
“By the time that happens, it may have spread to other parts of the body or within the chest, and it’s much more difficult to treat, and sometimes incurable at that point.”
Dr. Chui added they’re expecting the program to expand, putting more scanners in across northern B.C., and taking in new patients.
He encourages people that are eligible to get in touch by calling the phone line (1-877-717-5864), and to encourage others that are also eligible.
More information on the lung screening program can be found on BC Cancer’s website here.
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