The MUSC Health Lung Cancer Screening Program at Lancaster and Chester medical centers is redefining the standard for early detection, surpassing 3,100 screenings. This milestone reflects the tireless dedication of the clinical team and marks a major step forward in cancer prevention efforts across the region. Alexandria Ingram, APRN, who oversees the program, said this program has come a long way since it got its start in 2021. “It's a huge accomplishment because we've worked really hard to build this program since we started it. We've been able to reach patients that didn't have access to this type of care, and it just means that we're just expanding our patient care to areas that it's never been before,” said Ingram.
The MUSC Health Lung Cancer Screening Program experts not only detect lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages, but they also provide patients with a broader look at their overall health. Ingram said that they’ve found other cancers and abnormalities while screening patients, including changes in the liver, kidneys and surrounding areas. So, these screenings aren’t just detecting lung cancer, they also allow providers to catch a range of conditions – and earlier.
This accomplishment comes just ahead of National Lung Cancer Screening Day on Saturday, Nov. 8, offering a timely opportunity to drive even more awareness and participation.
“This area doesn’t have many opportunities for preventative care and education in general. We also have very high smoking rates,” said Ingram. “So, it's really important that these patients understand that they qualify for this service and how it could potentially save their lives.”
For Ingram, the opportunity to serve close-knit communities like Lancaster and Chester by delivering lifesaving care is unmatched.
“This is a very rewarding job, and I'm very proud to be a part of this and the program's growth over time,” said Ingram. “I’m really excited to see where this goes in the next five years.”
