COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (Feb. 2, 2026) – In a commitment to protect the health of El Paso County's dedicated first responders, CommonSpirit Penrose and St. Francis Cancer Centers have launched a specialized low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening program for firefighters.
This critical initiative offers free lung cancer screening to firefighters with 10 or more years of service, who are not eligible for screening under current national screening guidelines.
“Our firefighters bravely put their lives on the line every day to protect our community, often at the risk of their own health,” said Kristi Olson, President, Penrose Hospital. “At CommonSpirit, our mission is to make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable. Given the increase in lung cancer risk among firefighters, we recognize them as an at-risk population deserving of our support.”
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed and the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. While traditional screening focuses primarily on smoking history, new research indicates a significant vulnerability for firefighters. Studies show that this community faces up to a 60% higher incidence of certain lung cancers, with a concerning 85% of these high-risk cases potentially being missed by standard screening criteria.
The program's inclusion criteria:
- Participants must be active firefighters with 10 or more years of field experience in El Paso County.
- Participants do not meet current eligibility for lung cancer screening based on current national screening guidelines.
- Firefighters who meet eligibility for lung cancer screening under current guidelines are encouraged to contact the Penrose Cancer Center Lung Care Program to discuss how to obtain an order to begin their annual screening.
“We are proud to establish a new benchmark for firefighter health and wellness in the region by proactively expanding access to lung cancer screening beyond standard guidelines,” said Gina Temple, President, St. Francis Hospitals. “This dedication is designed to significantly improve outcomes for our community's first responders, enabling the detection of lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable phases.”
For more information or to inquire about participation in the firefighter lung cancer screening program, eligible individuals are encouraged to contact the Penrose Hospital Cancer Center Lung Care Program:
- Address: 2222 North Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80909.
- Phone: 719-776-6997
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.mountain.commonspirit.org/care-and-health/healthy-lung-screening-program
Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 137 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings. CommonSpirit has more than 155,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $4 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners, and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable, and innovative healthcare delivery system. Learn more at commonspirit.org.
