National Jewish Health Expands Lung Cancer Screening Access and Hosts Saturday Screening Event


DENVER - National Jewish Health is expanding access to its Lung Cancer Screening Program this fall, including offering Saturday appointments during the fourth annual National Lung Cancer Screening Day on Saturday, November 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The expanded screening program provides same-day, low-dose CT scans and shared decision-making visits designed to detect lung cancer early — when it is most treatable. National Jewish Health joins hundreds of facilities across the nation in promoting this lifesaving event to screen more individuals and raise awareness about lung cancer screening. Patients can complete both their required visit with an advanced practice provider and their CT scan on the same day. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 303.251.2551.

“We know that early detection is key to saving lives,” said Debra Dyer, MD, leader of the Lung Cancer Screening Program at National Jewish Health. “Our goal is to make lung cancer screening accessible and convenient for every patient who qualifies, especially those who may delay or skip screening because of scheduling challenges.”

Between January and August 2025, National Jewish Health screened 469 patients through its centralized program. Ninety percent of patients had negative or stable results, while 10% required follow-up imaging or evaluation. Among those, four patients were diagnosed with Stage I lung cancer — the earliest and most treatable stage.

“These outcomes demonstrate how effective early detection can be,” said Dr. Dyer. “Each of those patients benefited from identifying their cancer before it advanced, which is exactly the purpose of this program.”

Program Overview and Eligibility

In addition to the special Saturday screening day, the ongoing National Jewish Health Lung Cancer Screening Program is available to adults who meet the following criteria from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force:
  • Ages 50–80
  • At least a 20 pack-year smoking history
  • Currently smoking or quit within the past 15 years
  • No symptoms of lung cancer (such as coughing up blood or unexplained weight loss)
Screenings are covered by Medicare, Colorado Medicaid, and most commercial insurers, with no co-pay or cost-sharing for eligible patients. A self-pay option of $250 is available for those without insurance coverage.
The program brings together a multidisciplinary team of advanced practice providers, radiologists and imaging specialists who manage every step — from eligibility review and shared decision-making to screening, follow-up, and care coordination.
 

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation delivering excellence in multispecialty care and world class research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of children and adults with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit njhealth.org or the media resources page.


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