Know The Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

While the American Cancer Society does not recommend screening for persons of average risk of lung cancer, it does recommend screening for those who are at high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking.

Lung cancer screening consists of a low-dose CT scan of the chest, and it is covered by Medicare and most health plans if you are at high risk.

How is risk determined?

Take the quick quiz at SavedByTheScan.org. If you are at risk for lung cancer, talk to your doctor or a health care provider about starting an annual screening.

Did you know? Screening for lung cancer is recommended and covered by Medicare and most healthcare plans for those at high risk.
Take the quiz to see if you are high risk at https://t.co/yeVAMWeAmI #Getscreened #LungCancerAwarenessMonth https://t.co/DZHKisYdOE

— Lubin & Meyer PC (@LubinandMeyer) November 8, 2017

As stated on the American Cancer Society website:

“Medicare covers lung cancer screening with a low dose CT scan once per year if you have Medicare, are 55-77 years old, have a tobacco smoking history of at least 30 pack years*, and you either continue to smoke or you have quit smoking within the last 15 years. You must get a written order from your doctor or other health care provider. Coverage also includes a visit with your doctor (or other health provider) for counseling and shared decision-making on the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening. The scan can only be done at imaging centers that meet certain criteria."

According to the American Lung Association, it is estimated that less the 5% of Americans at high risk have been screened.

Learn more facts about lung cancer in the video below:

For more information, go to: American Lung Association website at lung.org and the American Cancer Society website at cancer.org.

Questions about your lung cancer diagnosis?

If you have questions about your medical care or screening related to lung cancer symptoms and diagnosis, please feel free to contact our medical malpractice attorneys licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

View our main website at LubinandMeyer.com
Lubin & Meyer PC - New England's Leader in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law

Lubin & Meyer Lawsuit Leads to FDA Recommendation of Ban on Electronic Shock Devices for Use on Autistic Children

When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced last week a proposal to ban electrical stimulation devices (ESDs), it was a long awaited final chapter in a lawsuit brought by Lubin & Meyer on behalf of Cheryl McCollins whose son Andre had been severely injured due to repeated electrical shock treatments while a student at the Judge Rotenberg Center.

"Many children and families have long awaited this historic news," said Lubin & Meyer attorney Benjamin Novotny, who represented McCollins at trial. "It is encouraging that the FDA is following the United Nations' footsteps and labeling this practice for what it is, torture."

The disturbing video evidence presented at trial, helped to reach a settlement, mount public outrage and move an FDA panel to hold a hearing to consider banning the practice of aversive electronic shock treatments. That hearing led to a recommendation to ban the practice, and now — two years later — the FDA has issued a proposal to ban the devices.

"The FDA takes the act of banning a device only on rare occasions when it is necessary to protect public health. ESDs administer electrical shocks through electrodes attached to the skin of individuals to attempt to condition them to stop engaging in self-injurious or aggressive behavior. Evidence indicates a number of significant psychological and physical risks are associated with the use of these devices, including depression, anxiety, worsening of self-injury behaviors and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, pain, burns, tissue damage and errant shocks from a device malfunction.

In addition, many people who are exposed to these devices have intellectual or developmental disabilities that make it difficult to communicate their pain or consent. As these risks cannot be eliminated through new or updated labeling, banning the product is necessary to protect public health."

The proposed rule is available online at www.regulations.gov for public comment for 30 days.

See our previous posts on this subject:

• FDA Advisory Panel Recommends Banning Shock Therapy at Judge Rotenberg Center
• Lubin & Meyer Lawsuit Prompts CBS News Investigation

View our main website at LubinandMeyer.com - Lubin & Meyer PC - New England's Leader in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law