Awareness Campaign Takes Lung Cancer Risk Head-On, Asking North Carolinians To Screen Together

Early detection of lung cancer through screening can dramatically increase survival for those at risk of the disease. At least 8.6 million Americans are considered high risk for lung cancer and are recommended to receive annual screening. If half of those high-risk individuals were screened, more than 13,000 lung cancer deaths could be prevented each year.¹

"Lung screening with a yearly low-dose chest CT, accompanied by smoking cessation counseling, if needed, is the best way to identify lung cancer in its earliest and most curable stages," said Jennifer Garst, MD, board chair of Lung Cancer Initiative and professor of medicine in the Duke Thoracic Oncology Program. "People who have been identified as high risk due to their smoking history and age can find facing the screening process overwhelming and frightening. Screen Together encourages those at risk to find a partner to help them through the process and keep each other accountable to their commitment to get screened."

Current or former smokers between the ages of 55 and 74 in North Carolina are encouraged to visit the Screen Together website to find a local lung cancer screening center and pledge their commitment to get screened with a friend, neighbor, colleague or family member. Medicare Part B covers free annual screening for qualifying individuals.

"We are delighted to be working with the Lung Cancer Initiative to get the word out about the benefits of early detection of lung cancer," said Bonnie Anderson, Veracyte's chairman and chief executive officer. "It is a tragedy that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, when a patient can undergo a simple low-dose CT scan for early detection that could save their life. At Veracyte, we are committed to the fight against lung cancer, helping to give patients a clearer path forward through innovative science that enables more accurate diagnosis, reduces unnecessary invasive procedures and may one day help to prevent this deadly disease."

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States, with 80-90 percent of lung cancer deaths associated with smoking.² In North Carolina, lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed, and the state has a greater prevalence of lung cancer as compared to the national average.³  According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, annual screening with low-dose CT scan provides the greatest benefit in decreasing lung cancer mortality compared with biennial or triennial screening.⁴

"Lung screening has now become an important part of our health maintenance with primary care but it is still frequently overlooked. This new campaign is a wonderful way for people to advocate for their health and do so with the support of others in similar circumstances," said Dr. Garst. "Screen Together may increase the chances of actually getting people in the door to get screened and subsequently save people's lives."

About Screen Together
Screen Together is an initiative that encourages those at risk for lung cancer to get screened along with a friend or loved one who may also be at risk. Through awareness activities, Screen Together aims to reach at-risk individuals where they live, work and play and inspire them to take charge of their health with the support of a friend, neighbor, colleague or family member and pledge to get screened for lung cancer at www.ScreenTogether.com.

In North Carolina, Veracyte is collaborating with Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina to drive awareness of Screen Together in their state.

About Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina
As the state's leading non-profit organization supporting lung cancer research and education, the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina specializes in connecting patients, survivors and loved ones with the medical and research community. The organization's mission is to save lives and provide support to those affected by lung cancer through research, awareness, education and access programs across North Carolina.  For more information, or to get involved, visit www.LungCancerInitiativeNC.org.

About Veracyte
Veracyte (NASDAQ: VCYT) is a leading genomic diagnostics company that is fundamentally improving patient care by resolving diagnostic uncertainty with evidence that is trustworthy and actionable. The company's products uniquely combine genomic technology, clinical science and machine learning to provide answers that give physicians and patients a clear path forward without risky, costly surgery that is often unnecessary. Since its founding in 2008, Veracyte has commercialized three genomic tests, which are transforming the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, lung cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and collectively target a $2 billion market opportunity. Veracyte is based in South San Francisco, California. For more information, please visit www.veracyte.com and follow the company on Twitter (@veracyte).

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¹ 2017 American Lung Association "Lung Cancer Fact Sheet" http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/resource-library/lung-cancer-fact-sheet.html 
² 2017 American Cancer Society "Key Statistics for Lung Cancer" https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/about/key-statistics.html 
³ 2017 Center for Disease Control and Prevention "Lung Cancer Rates By State" https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/statistics/state.htm 
⁴ 2016 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. "Final Recommendation Statement: Lung Cancer: Screening" https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/RecommendationStatementFinal/lung-cancer-screening

SOURCE Veracyte

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