Delaware offers free lung screening to uninsured, underinsured

DOVER, Del. (WPVI) -- The Delaware Division of Public Health's Screening for Life program will now cover lung cancer screening.

The program already covers several types of cancer screenings for Delaware residents who are uninsured or underinsured, and who aren't eligible for Medicaid or federal health insurance.

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in Delaware. It accounts for more than 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the Diamond State.

Lung cancer screening, also known as a low-dose CT scan, aims to catch lung cancer in its early stages, when it's most treatable.

The screening is available to current and former smokers who are at high risk for lung cancer. That includes people between 55 and 80 years of age, or people who currently smoke or quit smoking within the last 15 years.

Officials say their goal is to bring Delaware's cancer death rate to one of the lowest in the country. Now that lung screening has been added to the Screening for Life program, Delaware offers screening for the five biggest cancer killers to uninsured or underinsured people.

For more information, visit HealthyDelaware.org/lung.