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Patients > FAQ
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FAQ
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What is LungSign™? What does it tell me?
Should I take the test?
How long will the test take?
How do I prepare for the test?
What does the procedure feel like?
How much does the test cost?
How can I purchase a test?
Why do I need to supply my doctor's contact information?
How and where do I ship the sample?
What if there is not enough sputum collected?
Are my results confidential?
How long will it take to get my results?
What will the results tell me/my doctor?
What if I still have questions after reviewing this website?
Questions and Answers
What is LungSign&Trade;? What does it tell me?
LungSign is a simple, non-invasive lung cancer detection test that indicates
the likelihood that lung cancer is present. The test result is DNA Ploidt report to your physician. This report, along with your medical history,
will give your physician an indication of whether or not further diagnostic
procedures are necessary.
Should I take the test?
The test is for patients who are at high risk for developing lung cancer:
- Over 50 years old
- Significant exposure to cigarette smoke (one pack a day for 20
years) or to industrial carcinogens
- Symptoms such as persistent cough or shortness of breath or
clinical suspicion of lung cancer
Almost anyone can take the LungSign™ test, with the following
exceptions:
- patients who have had thoracic or cardiac surgery within the
last 6 months
- patients with asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive lung disease)
exacerbation in the last five days
- patients with flu-like symptoms such as fever or chills
How long will the test take?
If you order your test online or by telephone it may take up to a week for
delivery to your home or physician's office. The length of the sputum
collection procedure can range anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, and results
are typically generated five to seven business days after the sample has
been returned to our laboratory.
How do I prepare for the test?
In order to ensure that food particles do not interfere with the quality of
your sputum sample, we ask you not to consume food within two hours of
taking the test. If possible, we also ask you to brush your teeth after your
last meal prior to collecting a sputum specimen.
What does the procedure feel like?
The LungSign™ home test kit collects sputum using a hand-held
device. This device is a simple, handheld and disposable tool that vibrates
the lungs when breathed into. These vibrations painlessly shake sputum from
the lung's lining, and help patients cough deeply, to produce the sample
necessary for LungSign™ analysis.
Taking the LungSign™ test causes very little physical discomfort.
Some people feel minor soreness or irritation in the throat for a day or
so after the procedure.
How much does the test cost?
The cost of LungSign™ is CAD$175. The test is not currently
reimbursed by medical services plans in Canada and the EU.
How can I purchase a test?
Tests can be ordered by contacting a LungSign™
customer service representative at (888)-629-8779.
How do I pay for the test?
Fees for the LungSign™ test can be paid via phone (888-629-8779)
using either VISA or MasterCard. The test is not currently reimbursed
by medical services plans in Canada and the EU.
Why do I need to supply my doctor's contact information?
LungSign™ results are sent to your doctor. The test provides important
information about your risk of lung cancer. This information needs to be
interpreted in the context of your medical history and your pretest risk for
lung cancer. Your physician is most capable of this interpretation, thus
LungSign™ test results are sent directly to your doctor. This ensures
that you are properly counselled on the results of the test and appropriate
follow-up.
How and where do I ship the sample?
Every LungSign™ test is sent via priority mail directly to your
home. The test comes with all the necessary instructions, equipment and
supplies to provide a adequate sputum sample and send it back to our lab.
All mailing information will be provided on the pre-paid return container
included with the kit. In order to ensure that your sample is received by
our laboratory in the best condition possible, we request that it is shipped
as soon as possible after the sputum sample is produced.
What if there is not enough sputum collected?
Upon arrival at our laboratory each and every sputum sample is analyzed
for the presence of histiocytes — a type of cell primarily found deep
within the lung. The presence of histiocytes indicates that the sputum sample
was produced from deep within the lungs, and therefore is a sufficient
sample. Samples that do not contain histiocytes are not analyzed, and
an "insufficient sample" report will be sent to the patient's physician.
The mucus clearance device used in conjunction with the LungSign™
test has been shown to provide adequate specimens when its directions of
use are followed correctly. It is the responsibility of the patient to
ensure that these directions are followed to ensure an adequate sample.
No refunds or re-testing will be provided to those clients with an
"insufficient sample" result.
Are my results confidential?
Your results are always held in strict confidence and will not be shared
with any outside party. Results are only sent to your physician.
How long will it take to get my results?
It will take approximately two weeks for your sample to reach our lab,
be processed, and the result to be sent to your doctor.
What will the results tell me/my doctor?
LungSign™ indicates the likelihood that lung cancer is present. It
is a risk assessment exam and cannot tell you definitively if cancer is
present or not. The test result is reported to your physician.
This report, along with your medical history, will give your physician
an indication of whether or not further diagnostic procedures are
necessary.
What if I still have questions after reviewing this website?
Further questions about LungSign™ can be submitted via
Contact Us.
We additionally suggest that you download and print our Physician's
Information Package for your physician's review.
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Perceptronix is a cancer diagnostic service company focused on detecting cancer
at early stages to improve patient outcomes.
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