PINEHURST — November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and FirstHealth of the Carolinas is encouraging community members to learn about the importance of early detection and whether they qualify for lung cancer screening.
Lung cancer screening can help identify cancer at an early stage, when it may be more treatable, before symptoms develop.
Importance of Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and it claims more lives than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. That toll underscores the importance of early screening.
Lung cancer screening is surprisingly simple, painless and effective. Eligible patients—generally adults aged 50 to 80 with a history of heavy smoking—undergo a low-dose CT scan that takes less than 10 minutes. The scan can help to detect small pulmonary nodules before they cause symptoms. Nationally, the lung cancer survival rate has improved by 26% in the last five years due to increased awareness and advancements in detection and treatment.
The FirstHealth Lung Bus brings low-dose CT screenings directly to communities across the Sandhills, helping more people access screening close to home. Made possible by the generous support of the Foundation of FirstHealth, the Lung Bus offers lung screenings at no cost to those who qualify.
The Lung Bus is equipped with a 40-slice CT scanner, and scans are performed by a certified technologist. The scan takes about 10 minutes. By offering imaging outside the hospital, FirstHealth can reach people who may otherwise face barriers to getting screened.
Who Qualifies for Screening on the Lung Bus?
A pack-year smoking history is calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years a person smoked. For example, smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years equals a 20-pack-year history.
To learn more about the Lung Bus, discuss eligibility or register for an upcoming screening, call 910-715-LUNG (5864) or email LungBus@FirstHealth.org. For more information about FirstHealth’s lung screening services, visit www.FirstHealth.org/Lung.
2nd Annual Wings of Hope Walk & Run Nov. 14
The second annual Wings of Hope Walk & Run will take place Nov. 14, 2026, during Lung Cancer Awareness Month and on Lung Cancer Screening Day. Hosted by FirstHealth Fitness in Pinehurst, the family friendly event begins at 8:30 a.m. on the greenway trails behind the fitness center and welcomes runners, walkers, cancer survivors and caregivers.
The FirstHealth Lung Bus will be on site to provide lung cancer screenings at no cost for patients who qualify. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Foundation of FirstHealth’s Cancer CARE Fund.
Walkers and runners are encouraged to wear their favorite butterfly colors, wings or other gear to support the cause. Prizes will be awarded to costume contest winners. Local food trucks will be on site, and family-friendly activities before and during the race will include a survivor spotlight station.
To learn more or register for the Wings of Hope Walk & Run, visit https://www.raceentry.com/wings-of-hope-5k/race-information.
