Patients at the Providence Regional Cancer System Lacey Cancer Center who need Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan are now being seen in a new mobile unit outside the center.
On February 10, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its updated lung cancer screening eligibility guidelines for people covered by Medicare. As a result, most private insurance plans are required to cover lung cancer screening for those now at high risk under the U.S. Preventative Services Taskforce (USPSTF) criteria. This recommendation nearly doubled the number of individuals eligible for screening by lowering the recommended age range to begin screening from 55 to 50, as well as reducing the minimum pack-year smoking history from 30 to 20.
Navigating cancer treatment options can be overwhelming. Still reeling from the news, patients are often frightened, full of questions and unaware of their options as they enter cancer treatment. That’s where Providence Regional Cancer System Patient Navigators come in. They provide a wealth of information and support to patients and families at all three Providence oncology locations: Lacey, Centralia and Aberdeen.
Providence St. Peter Hospital is the largest hospital in Southwest Washington, serving a population of about 500,000, with half living in the greater Olympia/Thurston County area and the rest in four surrounding rural counties.
Janet Shimabukuro was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma at 46-years-old. Her doctor recommended genetic testing and counseling with Genetic Support Foundation, which revealed important family health history specifically the inherited BRCA2 gene mutation.