St. James Parish Hospital Partners with American Lung Association to Save Lives by Increasing Lung Cancer Screenings in St. James Parish
« ReturnLouisiana Lung Cancer Screening Initiative offers free screenings for eligible Louisianans
LUTCHER, La. – March 12, 2025 – St. James Parish Hospital is proud to announce its partnership with the American Lung Association in the Louisiana Lung Cancer Screening Initiative. The program offers free lung cancer screenings to eligible Louisiana residents through November 30.
Early detection is essential when it comes to lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in Louisiana and nationally. When the disease is detected at an earlier stage, it is more likely to be curable. In fact, if lung cancer is caught before it spreads, the likelihood of surviving five years or more improves to 64%.
Only about 15% of high-risk Louisianans are getting screened. The Louisiana Lung Cancer Screening Initiative seeks to increase awareness of lifesaving scans and reducing barriers to care.
St. James Parish Hospital’s Community Relations and Foundation Director Jamie Vicknair is excited for the recent partnership. “We are proud to collaborate with the American Lung Association in our ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of our community. This partnership is a critical step in increasing access to lifesaving lung cancer screenings in St. James Parish,” Vicknair said. “By working together, we aim to detect lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages, ultimately saving lives and improving the quality of life for our residents.”
Individuals in St. James Parish face higher rates of lung cancer than those in neighboring parishes and are encouraged to participate in the program. Individuals must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
- 50 – 80 years of age
- Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years)
- Currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years
“With the Louisiana Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, we hope to empower the St. James Parish community to understand their risk for lung cancer and eligibility for a lifesaving low-dose CT scan,” said Alexandria Kelsey, Manager of Health Promotions at the American Lung Association. “We are excited to collaborate with St. James Parish Hospital on this important initiative. Together, we can make meaningful strides in increasing lung cancer screening rates and saving lives in Louisiana.”
For more information about the Louisiana Lung Cancer Screening Initiative or to learn if you are eligible for a lung cancer screening, please visit Lung.org/lcs-assistance or call 844-ALA-LUNG (844-252-5864). The scans are covered by most insurance plans. However, the Lung Association can assist with financial barriers by covering the screening costs for all eligible individuals. Assistance with financial barriers, including arranging a free ride to the screening location, is available.
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About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
