Fox Chase Designated Lung Cancer Alliance Screening Center of Excellence

PHILADELPHIA (March 2, 2015)—Fox Chase Cancer Center has been named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) – a national advocacy group dedicated to saving lives and advancing research by empowering those living with and at risk for lung cancer. The prestigious designation reflects Fox Chase’s ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening within an experienced and multidisciplinary clinical setting.

"We’re proud to be named a Screening Center of Excellence,” says Hossein Borghaei, DO, Chief of Thoracic Medical Oncology and Director of Lung Cancer Risk Assessment at Fox Chase. “Lung cancer can take years to develop, but symptoms do not usually become obvious until the cancer has already grown into late stage and is much harder to treat. That’s why screening those at high risk – like we do at Fox Chase – before symptoms occur, is so important.”

LCA awards this designation to centers that provide clear, evidence-based and up-to-date guidance on who is a candidate for lung cancer screening. Centers must also comply with comprehensive standards for screening quality, radiation dose and diagnostic procedures developed by professional bodies such as the American College of Radiology, National Comprehensive Cancer Network and International Early Lung Cancer Action Program.

Lung cancer screening is an approach for detecting tumors and precancerous lesions at the earliest, most treatable stages. The Centers for Medicare & Medicate Services (CMS) approves annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography in adults aged 55 to 77 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

“Screening for lung cancer, carried out safely, efficiently and equitably, saves tens of thousands of lives a year,” says Laurie Fenton Ambrose, LCA President and CEO. “We are proud and honored to be working with Fox Chase Cancer Center. Their commitment to practice responsible lung cancer screening will lead to advancements in research and many lives saved. They are an example to follow.”

For more information about eligibility and insurance coverage for lung cancer screening and how to access these services, please call 1-888-FOX CHASE or (1-888-369-2427). 

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

For more information, call 888-369-2427