Free Cancer Screenings for First Responders | Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma

Beginning February 1, 2024, the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma will offer free cancer screenings for first responders at three of our locations in Altus, Lawton, and Duncan.

The program will include physical examinations and procedures to screen for lung, prostate, testicular, colon, and skin cancers, and tests will include Prostate Specific Antigens (PSA) and Low Dose Computerized Tomography (Low Dose CT) as applicable. If there is a diagnosis or suspicion of cancer, then further testing and procedures will be ordered as needed and billed to the provider’s insurance carrier. Eligibility includes current and retired firefighters - career and volunteer, police officers, and emergency medical services.

Screening tests can detect cancer before symptoms appear, enabling early intervention and potentially improving treatment outcomes. Identifying individuals at high risk for certain types of cancer allows for targeted screening and monitoring. High-risk individuals may include those with a family history of cancer, certain genetic predispositions, or exposure to specific environmental factors as seen with first responders.

— Lane Hooton,

Chief Operating Officer of the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma

Lung Screening:
Low-Dose CT (LDCT) lung screening is quick and easy and results in a minimal amount of radiation exposure. LDCT lung screening is one of the easiest screening exams you can have. The exam takes less than 10 seconds. We do not give medications or use needs for this exam. You can eat before and after the exam. You do not even need to get changed as long as the clothing on your chest does not contain metal.
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Prostate Screening:
The prostate screening consists of a Digital Rectal Exam and a PSA (blood draw.)
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Testicular Screening:
The testicular screening involves a visual inspection and physical examination of the patient's testicles.
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Skin Screening:
The skin cancer screening involves only a 2 to 3 minute visual inspection of the patient’s body including the scalp, hands and feet.

Colon Screening:
Patients who qualify will have a ColoGuard kit mailed to their residence. After following the instructions provided, the patient mails the kit back. The provider who performed their screening will contact them with the results.

Patients will also have a blood draw for a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Blood Chemistry.