Ballad Health hosting lung cancer screening event in Kingsport

Ballad Health is partnering with the American Cancer Society to host a special lung cancer screening event in honor of National Lung Cancer Screening Day, to increase the community’s access to care.  

The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. until noon at the Holston Valley Medical Center Imaging Center, 103 W. Stone Drive in Kingsport, and will provide low-dose computed tomography scans (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT) to individuals who might not have the opportunity to undergo tests during regular workdays.  

“Early detection is crucial in the fight against lung cancer, and we’re committed to making these screenings more accessible to a wider range of individuals,” said Tony Dotson, vice president of oncology for Ballad Health. “This event is an opportunity for community members to take a proactive approach to their health and potentially receive a life-saving test by having lung cancer detected at an earlier, more treatable stage. At Ballad Health, we’re making a difference in the fight against lung cancer and ensuring our neighbors have access to the care they need."

To qualify for a screening, patients must meet the following criteria:  

• Over the age of 50 (age 77 is the cut-off age for most insurance coverage of this test)
• Asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of lung cancer)
• Have a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack years (one pack year equals smoking one pack per day for one year)
• Be a current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years

Patient referrals are required for the event. Clinicians can call Ballad Health Central Scheduling to make a referral or use Epic Care Link for an appointment time. The Saturday event will only be held at the Holston Valley Medical Center Imaging Center, but lung screening appointments are also available Monday through Friday at all other Ballad Health facilities.  

Insurance will be filed for the screenings, and patients who are uninsured can contact the Appalachian Highlands Care Network at ahcn.navigator@balladhealth.org to learn about public assistance programs.  

“Events like these contribute to the well-being of our community by making this vital healthcare service more accessible, especially for those folks who do not have time to receive a lung screening on a weekday,” said Shari Rajoo, MD, chief medical officer for population health services at Ballad Health.  

In March 2021, the U.S. Preventative Service Taskforce updated its lung cancer screening guideline, nearly doubling the number of individuals eligible for screening by lowering the recommended age range to begin screening to age 50 and reducing the minimum pack-year smoking history to 20.  

Individuals who smoked in the past or currently smoke can call their primary care providers to check about eligibility. Individuals do not need to have symptoms to get tested, and early diagnosis is crucial to successful treatment.

“Our community members are our friends and neighbors,” Dr. Rajoo said. “This makes our mission to deliver the best possible care front and center for us; it’s personal.”  

Please call the Holston Valley Medical Center Imaging Center at 423-224-6800 to learn more about this event or visit www.balladhealth.org/medical-services/imaging-radiology to learn about Ballad Health’s imaging and radiology services.