WESTFIELD — Westfield Memorial Hospital (WMH), part of the Allegheny Health Network, is now utilizing low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans to screen people at high-risk for lung cancer, even when they’re not experiencing symptoms.

WMH is the only American College of Radiology-designed facility to offer LDCT lung screenings in Chautauqua County.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer death. Smoking is the cause of about 85 percent of all lung cancer cases, and the risk increases with age. About 37 percent of U.S. adults are current or former smokers.

The screenings are for adults 55 to 80 who have smoked at least a pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years, who have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer, and either currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

The National Lung Screening Clinical Trials showed that the screening, through the use of LDCT scans, saved lives, reducing lung cancer mortality by 20 percent.

The screening itself takes only about 15 minutes and requires no preparation or contrast injections. Results will be provided in approximately a week. At that time, both the physician and the patient will be notified of the results.

For patients with scans that are found to be suspicious, a team of specialists will review the case and offer their recommendations.

All participants are eligible for smoking cessation services, whether through AHN or other community organizations, even those who call to inquire about screening but do not qualify.

Screenings will take place at the hospital, located at 189 East Main Street, Westfield.

Those interested in the screening can call (844) AHN-LUNG to find out if they qualify for it. Those who fit the criteria for the screening should ask their family physician to order it either in EPIC or by faxing an order to (412)858.2161.