DALTON, Ga. (November 10, 2025) – With November being Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Peeples Cancer Institute (PCI), Hamilton Diagnostics Center and Hamilton Physician Group – Specialty Care are reminding people that early detection can save the lives of those diagnosed with lung cancer.
If you are a smoker or former smoker, ask your doctor if you should be screened for lung cancer. It is a painless, 10-minute test that could save your life.
Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screenings are available for those who are age 50 to 80, are active smokers or who quit smoking less than 15 years ago, or have a 20-pack-per-year smoking history. This screening is often covered under insurance policies. Please check with your insurance carrier.
To calculate “pack per year” smoking history, multiply the number of packs per day you usually smoke by the number of years you have smoked. For example, two packs a day times 15 years would amount to 30 packs per year.
Ask your doctor about a lung cancer screening today. If you need a primary care physician, please visit VitruvianHealth.com for a list of providers near you.
To schedule a LDCT lung cancer screening, please call 706-272-6565. An order from your healthcare provider is required for the test.
For high-risk patients, Hamilton also offers Ion by Intuitive, a groundbreaking robotic-assisted bronchoscopy system that significantly enhances the early detection of lung cancer.
With its advanced navigation and precision, Ion allows physicians to biopsy tiny, hard-to-reach nodules earlier and more safely than traditional methods. When lung cancer is diagnosed early, patients experience a nearly 8 times higher five-year survival rate than those diagnosed at a later stage.
“Robotic bronchoscopy is a powerful tool in the fight against lung cancer,” said Sumedha Sonde, MD, pulmonologist. “It helps us reach deep into the lungs with greater safety and accuracy, allowing us to diagnose earlier and act faster.”
If you or someone you love receives a cancer diagnosis, it is important to know that PCI at Hamilton Medical Center provides quality cancer care with the latest cancer-fighting technology and compassionate cancer care – all under one roof. The Institute includes:
• Board-certified medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons
• State-of-the-art radiation therapies
• Customized treatment plans
• Genetic testing and counseling
• Patient navigation and oncology social work services
If you are a smoker, you’re encouraged to get help to quit. Peeples Cancer Institute hosts an eight-week quit smoking program. Overseen by a certified facilitator, the program was developed by the American Lung Association. The next program is expected to begin in early 2026.