SHELTON, WA – Mason Health is proud to announce the launch of several new cancer screening initiatives at Mason Clinic-Primary Care, significantly bolstering the District’s commitment to early cancer detection and prevention in Mason County. These initiatives introduce advanced screening tools and dedicated resources aimed at making vital screenings more accessible and convenient for patients.

“I am so pleased to be a part of Mason Health’s commitment to early cancer detection ensuring that our community has access to life-saving screenings,” said Board of Hospital Commissioner Lori Brady. “By expanding preventive care, we are enabling patients to use the resources they need to take charge of their health and well-being.”

“At Mason Health, we are prioritizing the fight against cancer by empowering our community with accessible and effective screening tools,” said Michelle Hamilton, DO, Chief Officer of Innovation & Clinical Excellence. “These new initiatives reflect our dedication to proactive healthcare and ensuring our patients have every opportunity for early detection and treatment.”

Key highlights of Mason Health’s new cancer screening initiatives include:

Enhanced Lung Cancer Screening Program:

Mason Health is strengthening its lung cancer screening efforts with the addition of a dedicated lung cancer patient navigator. An experienced Registered Nurse will now devote an additional four hours weekly to guide patients through the screening process, ensuring comprehensive support and coordination of care. The program targets individuals at higher risk, including:

• Current smokers or those who have quit smoking in the past 15 years
• Those with a consistent smoking history equal to one pack a day for 20 years or more
• Anyone with an inconsistent smoking history that equals one pack per day for 20 years or more
• Age 50-80 years old (insurance coverage can vary for the full age range)

Innovative Cervical Cancer Screening:

Mason Health is excited to offer a new, non-invasive cervical cancer screening with the BD OnClarity HPV test. This test is a self-swab done by patients at Mason Clinic-Primary Care visits. The test is as accurate as traditional pelvic exams in detecting cervical cancer. It is specifically designed for patients without a history of abnormal PAP smears or current symptoms, offering a comfortable alternative for those who prefer not to undergo a pelvic exam for cervical cancer screening. Anyone with any pelvic changes or symptoms should always be evaluated by a medical provider and a pelvic exam may be recommended. Results are processed by a Michigan-based lab, with primary care providers delivering the findings to patients. If the lab results detect abnormalities, providers will recommend further diagnostic testing.

Expanded Colorectal Cancer Screening Options:

Recognizing the importance of varied screening approaches, Mason Health is expanding its colorectal cancer screening options to cater to individual patient preferences. While colonoscopy remains the gold standard, patients now have additional choices:

• Cologuard: A prescription at-home stool DNA test, highly effective at detecting colorectal cancer, though less sensitive for polyps and colon cancer.
• Shield Blood Test: Mason Health is now offering Shield, a recently FDA-approved blood test for colorectal cancer screening. While not as accurate as a colonoscopy or Cologuard, Shield is a valuable option for individuals who strongly prefer to avoid those methods and is especially effective at detecting later-stage colorectal cancers (Stage III and IV). The Shield test can be performed during a doctor’s visit, with results available within one to two weeks. A positive result from either Cologuard or Shield necessitates a follow-up colonoscopy.

Mason Health emphasizes that these new tools are screening tests only. Any new or concerning symptoms for any type of cancer should always be promptly evaluated by a healthcare provider, regardless of recent normal screening results. Mason Health is committed to empowering its community with accessible, advanced, and patient-centered cancer screening options, reinforcing its dedication to the health and well-being of the Mason County area.

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County is ISO 9001 Quality Management System certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. The Board of Hospital District Commissioners are Don Welander, President, Darrin Moody, Secretary, and Lori Brady, Trustee. Mason General Hospital and Mason Clinic are ENERGY STAR® certified and Mason Health is the recipient of one Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award, three Partner for Change Awards, two Greening the Operating Room Awards, Making Medicine Mercury Free Award and Emerald Award. To learn more about Mason Health’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.masonhealth.com/about/sustainability-environmental-stewardship. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit www.masonhealth.com. To learn more about DNV, visit www.dnv.com/healthcare.