Stacy Fisher is the Cancer Outreach Coordinator for the Cape Atlantic Coalition at Shore Medical Center who is helping to organize a free lung cancer screening at Shore Cancer Center on March 23, 9 am to noon. In this article, you’ll learn more about lung cancer screenings through Stacy’s experience both professionally, and as a former smoker who underwent lung cancer screening herself.
A little over a year ago, Stacy Fisher, of Ocean City, applied for a job as a Cancer Outreach Coordinator with the Cape Atlantic Coalition for Health at Shore Medical Center - but there was one problem. She was a heavy smoker, and if she was offered this job, she couldn’t possibly continue smoking while teaching others about cancer prevention.
“I began smoking about 15 years ago during a stressful time in my life, and soon became a heavy smoker, smoking up to two packs a day,” Fisher said. “When I got the job offer at Shore, I was so grateful and motivated that I quit cold turkey.”
Little did Fisher know that not only would this position motivate her to quit smoking, it would also introduce her to low dose CT (LDCT) screenings that can detect lung cancer early when it is most treatable.
“One of my first projects at Shore was organizing a free lung cancer screening event for eligible current and former smokers. I was amazed that this was offered to the community. Despite being a smoker for so long, I never heard of LDCT screenings or knew that I could get them every year because of my age and smoking history. So, I decided to get screened myself!”
Screening Saves Lives, But LDCT Rates are Low
Lung cancer doesn’t usually show any symptoms until its later stages when it has already spread, which is why it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the nation and has a low survival rate. But when caught early, it can often be removed surgically before it spreads and dramatically improve your rate of survival, and even cure it. Unfortunately, only 5.8% of people eligible for LDCT lung cancer screening actually get it, which Fisher says is primarily because of lack of awareness, confusion about eligibility, and fear.
Who Should Get Screened?
The screening guidelines for LDCT are based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). You are considered eligible for lung cancer screening if:
- You’re between the ages of 50 and 80
- You are a current smoker or you have quit in the past 15 years
- You have a 20-pack-year smoking history. To figure out your pack-year history, multiply the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years you’ve smoked. For example, if you smoked a pack a day for 20 years, or if you smoked two packs a day for 10 years, you have a 20-pack-year history.
Fisher’s Experience: There is Fear in Not Knowing
When Fisher underwent LDCT in 2023, she admits she was afraid of what she might find out.
“A little part of me didn’t want to know my results, but there is also fear in not knowing. If you don’t get screened, you’ll live with that nagging worry about what might be happening in your lungs. I had to put my big girl pants on and realize I need to take better care of myself, and part of that is getting screened and being fully knowledgeable of my health status. It’s not fair to yourself or the people you love to put this off.”
Fisher said it was a very simple process. First, she discussed her smoking history with the physician at the screening event to ensure she was eligible and that screening would benefit her. She received the LDCT prescription, and at the event was able to schedule her screening at Advanced Shore Imaging Associates in Northfield for later that week.
“The LDCT was quick and easy. Everyone was so nice at Advanced Shore Imaging Associates. I was in and out surprisingly very quickly.”
A few days later, Fisher received her results.
“I felt a sense of relief. Knowing my health status is better than not knowing,” Fisher said. “It made me feel accountable for once, that I took this step to take care of myself. I know that I did do some damage, but I’m in control now. I have a baseline to work from, and feel even more motivated to continue to make healthier life choices.”
Fisher says that for those who cannot attend the March 23 screening but would like to get screened, they should talk to their doctor.
“If you meet eligibility requirements, your insurance should cover the LDCT screening,” Fisher says. “If your doctor doesn’t mention LDCT, speak up and tell them you want to be screened and discuss your eligibility. As patients, we have to be our own advocate and be informed of our options.”
Fisher also encourages anyone who is uncertain or has questions, either about quitting smoking or just to hear more about her experience, to give her a call.
“I know what it’s like and I know how hard it is to quit. I tried many times before I quit cold turkey, but as someone with experience, please reach out to me at stacy.fisher@shoremedicalcenter.org or at 609-653-3923. I’m happy to help you schedule your screening, or any other way that I can.”
Shore Medical Center’s Free Lung Cancer Screening Event is Saturday, March 23, 2024, 9:00 am to noon at Shore Cancer Center, located at 644 Shore Road in Somers Point, NJ. To participate, you must call to discuss your eligibility and make an appointment at 609-653-3923.
