Lung cancer awareness advocate talks prescreening, diagnoses for non-smokers

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Hundreds of thousands of Americans will receive a lung cancer diagnosis this year.

Alabama’s five-year survival rate is trailing the rest of the county. 21.3% of lung cancer patients survive five years past their diagnosis compared to the national average of 26.6%, according to the American Lung Association.

Though often associated with a lifelong smoking habit, many non-smokers are diagnosed with lung cancer.

“They suspected lung cancer,” said lung cancer awareness advocate Matthew Koebbe. “We did a biopsy, and confirmed that, yes, it was lung cancer.”

Koebbe was diagnosed with non-smokers lung cancer in 2018. He said the cancer was identified by accident, found by his doctors while he was being monitored for another condition.

“They removed my upper right lobe, a lobectomy, but they missed a few cells, so I had 33 rounds of radiation,” Koebbe said. “It also had spread to a lymphoid, so I had four rounds of chemo as well.”

After his diagnosis, Koebbe said he began looking for information about the condition, and this search for data, treatment options and doctors led him to advocacy work.

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“Alabama is one of six states where Medicaid does not cover prescreening,” Koebbe said.

Prescreening helps catch early-stage lung cancer, increasing survivability rates.

“You have to do a CT scan,” Koebbe said. “You can’t do a self-lung exam in shower for example. That’s part of the reason the survival rates are low I think. It’s hard to detect.”

Though Koebbe said he hopes to see more prescreening coverage in Alabama in the future, many older adults and previous and current smokers qualify for the service now.

The United States Preventative Services Taskforce ‘s (USPSTF) recommendations for prescreening are below:

• 50-80 years old
• Have at least a 20-pack-year smoking history (one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years)
• Are currently smoking or quit within the past 15 years

At Crestwood Medical Center , LDCT lung screening exams are covered by Medicare and private insurance if the patient meets the following criteria:

• Between the ages of 55-80 years of age (55-77 for Medicare; 55-80 for private insurance)
• Be asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of lung cancer)
• Have a tobacco smoking history of 20 pack-years* (or more). Discuss this with your physician.
• Be a current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years
• Have a written order from your physician/provider for lung cancer screening with LDCT that meets the requirements.

As for Clearview Cancer Institute , screening is available for people who:

• Are 50-80 years old
• Currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years
• Have at least a 20 pack year hsitory

The Huntsville Hospital patient criteria for a low-dose CT scan of the chest:

• Age 55-77
• 30+ “pack year history” (pack year history = packs smoked per day x years smoked)
• Active smoker within the past 15 years
• No signs or symptoms of lung cancer

Outpatient Diagnostic Center (Huntsville, Madison, Decatur and Athens) has CT Lung Screening for high-risk people who meet the following criteria:

• Are age 50 or older who currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years
• Have a smoking history that is the equivalent of 1 pack/day for 20 years
• Have experienced asbestos exposure or have obstructive airway disease
• Have a smoking history and additional risk factors such as radon exposure, occupational exposures, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis
• Are not experiencing symptoms related to lung cancer

If you find yourself facing a diagnosis, Koebbe said you should talk to your oncologist. He said you should make sure to find a doctor you trust and are comfortable asking questions and seeking out a second opinion when possible. Koebbe encourages seeking out information, but be careful of the source.

“Please do not go to Doctor’s Google, YouTube, Twitter or TikTok,” Koebbe said. “If you’re looking for factual information go to lungevity.org .”

Koebbe said he understands the shock of a cancer diagnosis, but new developments are made all the time.

“Lung cancer is no longer a death sentence,” Koebbe said. “I was first diagnosed six and a half years ago. At this conference I just came from, we had a PRA luncheon and I met a 22 year survivor and a 16 year survivor.”

For those concerned about environmental risks that could cause lung cancer, Koebbe recommends using a radon detector in your home. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports several North Alabama counties, including Lawrence, Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Limestone, Morgan, Madison and Jackson, have the highest potential for elevated radon levels. You can purchase a one-time test kit or multi-use detector online.

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