In Nashville, a student‑led organization is working to raise awareness of lung cancer and encourage early detection. Bryson Lovern, president of the Lipscomb University chapter of the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, says the disease remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, claiming roughly 125,000 lives annually.
Why early screening matters
According to Lovern, most lung cancer cases are discovered incidentally and at a late stage, when treatment options are limited. “Our goal is to flip that narrative and get people screened in stage one,” he explained. He noted that advances in imaging, surgical techniques, and immunotherapy have dramatically improved outcomes for patients whose disease is caught early.
Advocacy and legislative push
Lovern stresses that medical progress should not excuse a lack of urgency in expanding screening guidelines. He calls for “more legislative moves” that would permanently broaden eligibility for low‑dose CT scans, making them accessible to a larger segment of the at‑risk population.
Community event to spread the message
To bring the message to the public, the group plans to plant 1,000 flags in Centennial Park, symbolizing solidarity with lung cancer patients, survivors, and families who have lost loved ones. The exact date is still being finalized, but the event will feature support from Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Pfizer, Aflac Infinity Region, and Longevity.
“We’re gonna plant 1,000 flags in Centennial Park, standing in solidarity with lung cancer patients and survivors, as well as the ones who’ve unfortunately lost their lives to the disease,” Lovern said.
How residents can get screened
Screening for lung cancer typically involves a low‑dose computed tomography (CT) scan for adults aged 50 to 80 who have a 20‑pack‑year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. The American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative provides resources and referrals for eligible individuals.
Local health providers encourage anyone who meets these criteria to discuss screening with their physician. Early detection can lead to surgical removal of localized tumors, targeted therapies, or immunotherapeutic treatments that have higher success rates than interventions for advanced disease.
Looking ahead
Lovern hopes the flag‑planting event will spark a broader conversation about lung cancer prevention and screening across Middle Tennessee. He believes that community engagement, combined with supportive legislation, can reduce the number of late‑stage diagnoses and ultimately save lives.
For more information about the event or to learn how to schedule a screening, visit the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative’s website or contact the Lipscomb University chapter directly.
Original reporting: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
