Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) December 18, 2014

Aria Health’s Lung Screening Program has been distinguished as a Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) for its continued commitment to providing responsible lung cancer screenings. The program will join more than 225 elite screening centers across the country recognized as a Center of Excellence.

With its dedication to improving the health of the community, Aria Health’s Lung Screening Program offers low dose CT scans for early detection of lung cancer. Low dose CT scans performed safely and efficiently save thousands of lives each year, as they are more effective at detecting early onset of lung cancer than traditional x-rays. These CT Scans are recommended for those with a heavy history of smoking, current smokers, or a smoker who has quit within the past 15 years (between the ages of 55 and 80).

“These lung screenings truly are life-saving programs that can help detect the earliest signs of lung cancer, which is one of the deadliest forms of the disease,” said Kathleen Kinslow, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aria Health. “We are honored to join the nation’s most respected group of screening programs distinguished as a Center of Excellence, and are proud to continue our efforts to improve the health of our friends and neighbors in the communities we serve.”

Those distinguished as a Screening Center of Excellence are dedicated to providing clear information based on current indication on who is a candidate for lung cancer screening. In addition, the Center of Excellence adheres to the comprehensive standards based on best practices provided by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), as well as the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP). These are standards for controlling screening quality, radiation dose and diagnostic procedures within an experienced, multi-disciplinary clinical setting.

“We are proud and honored to be working with Aria Health Lung Screening Program as a Lung Cancer Alliance Screening Center of Excellence. Their commitment to practice responsible lung cancer screening will lead to advancements in research and many lives saved. They are an example to follow,” says LCA President and CEO, Laurie Fenton Ambrose.

About Aria Health

Aria Health is the largest healthcare provider in Northeast Philadelphia and Lower Bucks County. With three leading-edge community hospitals and a strong network of outpatient centers and primary care physicians, Aria upholds a longstanding tradition of bringing advanced medicine and personal care to the many communities it serves. For more information about Aria Health please visit http://www.ariahealth.org “Like” Aria Health on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ariahealth and “Follow” Aria Health on Twitter at @AriaHealth

About Lung Cancer Alliance

LCA is committed to saving lives and accelerating research by empowering people living with or at risk for lung cancer. LCA provides live, professional support, referral and information services to patients, their loved ones and those at risk for lung cancer; conducts national awareness campaigns, including the award winning No One Deserves to Die Campaign attacking the stigma of the disease and the Moments Campaign, spreading word about the risk and screening with a risk navigator tool for consumers; and advocates for multiple millions in public health dollars for lung cancer research.

Lung Cancer Alliance launched the National Framework for Lung Screening Excellence and its Continuum of Care in 2012 and now have over 200 sites committed to the guidelines. The National Framework lays out a bill of rights for the at-risk public and guiding principles for lung cancer screening sites. http://www.lungcanceralliance.org