CommonSpirit Penrose and St. Francis Cancer Centers have started a new program to provide free lung cancer screenings for firefighters in El Paso County, Colorado. The initiative uses low-dose CT (LDCT) scans and is available to firefighters with at least 10 years of service who do not qualify under current national screening guidelines.
Kristi Olson, President of Penrose Hospital, stated, “Our firefighters bravely put their lives on the line every day to protect our community, often at the risk of their own health. At CommonSpirit, our mission is to make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable. Given the increase in lung cancer risk among firefighters, we recognize them as an at-risk population deserving of our support.”
Lung cancer remains one of the most common cancers diagnosed and is currently the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. While most screening programs focus on individuals with a history of smoking, recent studies show that firefighters face up to a 60% higher incidence rate for certain types of lung cancer compared to other groups. Research also suggests that standard screening criteria may miss about 85% of high-risk cases among firefighters.
To participate in this program, individuals must be active firefighters with at least 10 years working in El Paso County and must not meet existing national eligibility standards for lung cancer screening. Firefighters who already qualify under national guidelines are advised to contact the Penrose Cancer Center Lung Care Program for further instructions regarding annual screenings.
Gina Temple, President of St. Francis Hospitals, said, “We are proud to establish a new benchmark for firefighter health and wellness in the region by proactively expanding access to lung cancer screening beyond standard guidelines. This dedication is designed to significantly improve outcomes for our community’s first responders, enabling the detection of lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable phases.”
For more information or questions about participating in this program, eligible individuals can reach out through phone at 719-776-6997 or visit https://www.mountain.commonspirit.org/care-and-health/healthy-lung-screening-program.
