Share this article and save a life!
Asking patients about their smoking history is an important part of cancer screening because smoking is a major risk factor for many types of cancer. Studies have shown that smoking is responsible for approximately 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States, and it is the leading cause of preventable cancer deaths worldwide.
When a patient is screened for cancer, healthcare professionals want to identify any potential risk factors that may increase the patient’s chances of developing the disease. Smoking is a well-established risk factor for a variety of cancers, including lung, throat, mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and cervix cancers.
By asking patients about their smoking history, healthcare professionals can determine if the patient is at an increased risk for these types of cancers and may need additional testing or more frequent cancer screenings. They can also provide information about the benefits of quitting smoking and offer resources to help patients quit, which can significantly reduce their risk of developing cancer and other smoking-related health problems.
Overall, asking patients about their smoking history is a crucial part of cancer screening that can help healthcare professionals identify and prevent the development of cancer.
Lung cancer screening questions checklist
Full source: Download Project Connect PDF.
Share this article and save a life!
Author:
Jonathan Govette is a seasoned healthcare and technology executive with more than two decades of experience building, scaling, and advising digital health companies. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Oatmeal Health, an AI-driven Lung Cancer Screening and Diagnostics company focused on expanding access to early detection for underrepresented populations, particularly patients served by Federally Qualified Health Centers and value-based health plans.
With a background in engineering, product development, and strategic partnerships, Jonathan has founded and led multiple health technology ventures across clinical care delivery, regulated medical software, and AI-enabled diagnostics. His work sits at the intersection of medicine, technology, and health equity, with a consistent focus on translating complex clinical problems into scalable, real-world solutions.
Jonathan has spent much of his professional life dedicated to improving outcomes for marginalized and underserved communities. He has designed and implemented frameworks that align clinical quality, reimbursement, and technology to sustainably advance health equity at scale. This mission is deeply personal and informs his leadership philosophy and long-term vision for healthcare transformation.
In addition to his operating experience, Jonathan is an author and long-time writer in the healthcare domain, with over 20 years of published work covering digital health, medical innovation, and healthcare systems. He is a frequent mentor to early-stage founders and regularly advises startups on product strategy, partnerships, and go-to-market execution in regulated healthcare environments.
Before entering industry full-time, Jonathan nearly pursued a career in medicine with an early path toward cardiothoracic surgery, an experience that continues to shape his clinical perspective and respect for frontline care delivery.
CEO | Oatmeal Health | AI Lung Cancer Startup | Engineer | Writer | Almost Became a Doctor (Cardiac Thoracic Surgeon) | 3x Health Tech Founder | Startup Mentor | Follow to share what I’ve learned along the way.
